KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP)– Israel’s war with Hamas has reignited once again on Friday with airstrikes striking homes and structures in the Gaza Strip just after a weeklong truce ended. The people of the besieged area reported numerous Palestinians killed and Israel dropped brochures over Gaza City and southern parts of the enclave, urging civilians to evacuate to avoid the ongoing clashes.
At the same time, militants in Gaza resumed shooting rockets into Israel, while fighting broke out between Israel and Hezbollah militants operating along its northern border with Lebanon.
The renewed hostilities have the potential to worsen the suffering in Gaza. The area is currently packed with almost 2 million people – almost its entire population – and Israel has urged people to move away from the south of Gaza at the start of the war, bearing in mind its plan to extend its ground attack. However, residents are unable to enter into north Gaza or neighboring Egypt, with their only escape being to move within the confined 85-square-mile area.
Furthermore, the renewed hostilities have also raised concerns for around 140 captives still held by Hamas and other militants, after more than 100 were released during the truce. The collapse of the truce was disheartening for families of remaining captives, who were hoping for their loved ones’ release after seeing others set free. Israel confirmed on Friday that it had found the bodies of 4 more captives in Gaza, bringing the total known dead to 7.
Amidst the ongoing crisis, Qatar, which has also worked as a mediator alongside Egypt, stated that negotiators were still working towards restoring the ceasefire. Both Israel and Hamas have blamed each other for ending the truce.
A day earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israeli officials to do more to protect Palestinian civilians as they seek to dismantle Hamas. Blinken met Friday with Arab foreign ministers at international environment talks in Dubai.
It is currently unclear the extent to which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will comply with the U.S.’s calls, given the close alliance between the two nations.
Palestinians visit their homes ruined in the Israeli battles in Al-Zahra, on the borders of Gaza City, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. throughout the momentary ceasefire in between Hamas and Israel. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
through Associated Press
On Friday, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel “is committed to achieving the goals of the war,” including releasing the captives and removing Hamas from power, which has been controlling Gaza since 2007.
In response to U.S. calls, the Israeli military released an online map dividing the Gaza Strip into several numbered, randomly drawn parcels. It asked residents to find the number of their location in case of an eventual evacuation. However, the map did not designate safe areas to evacuate to, and it remains to be seen how quickly Palestinians will be able to access it.
As the renewed airstrikes continued, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 178 people killed and dozens injured. Israel disclosed that it targeted over 200 Hamas targets in the offensive.
