2023-12-01 05:42:02
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s military announced the resumption of its combat operations in the Haza Strip minutes after the temporary truce with Hamas expired on Friday, blaming the insurgent group for breaking the ceasefire.
The ceasefire expired at 7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Friday. The truce that began a week ago, on November 24, was initially scheduled to last four days, but was extended several more with the help of Qatar and Egypt, which have acted as mediators.
During this time, Hamas and other insurgent groups in the enclave released more than 100 hostages, mostly Israelis, in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians from prisons in Israel.
Almost all of those who have regained freedom were women and minors, and the fact that few hostages from these groups remain in Gaza complicated an agreement for a new expansion.
Hamas, which has ruled the besieged territory for 16 years, is also expected to ask for a higher price for the remaining captives, especially in the case of Israeli soldiers. It is estimated that 140 hostages remain in Gaza.
Qatar and Egypt have tried to extend the ceasefire for two more days.
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