Israeli Military Resumes Combat in Gaza After Hamas Violates Cease-Fire Agreement

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Israeli Military Resumes Combat in Gaza, Accusing Hamas of Violating Ceasefire Agreement

The Israeli military announced on Friday morning that it has resumed combat operations in Gaza after accusing Hamas of violating the terms of the temporary ceasefire agreement. The war between Israel and Hamas broke out on October 7 when Hamas militants launched a violent terror attack on southern Israel.

The ceasefire, which began on November 24, expired at 7 a.m. local time with no extension announced by either side. About an hour before the deadline, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that its missile defense system had detected and intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza towards Israeli territory. Hamas has not yet responded to Israel’s claim.

In a social media post, the IDF stated, “Hamas violated the operational pause and in addition, fired toward Israeli territory. The IDF has resumed combat against the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.”

Sporadic air raid sirens were heard in southern Israel on Friday morning, and schools in central Israel were instructed to only open if they have bomb shelters. Otherwise, classes would be held online.

On Thursday, the seventh day of the ceasefire, eight Israeli hostages were freed from Gaza, while 30 Palestinians jailed in Israel were also released. The ceasefire had been renewed twice, and during that time, over 100 Hamas-held hostages were released, along with approximately 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Despite several incidents of violence during the ceasefire, including a shooting in Jerusalem that killed three Israelis and wounded six others, the fragile deal remained in place. Two U.S. citizens were among the wounded. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his third visit to Israel since the war began, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged Israel to protect Gaza civilians. Blinken stated, “Israel has one of the most sophisticated militaries in the world. It is capable of neutralizing the threat posed by Hamas while minimizing harm to innocent men, women, and children. And it has an obligation to do so.”

The Israeli hostages released on Thursday ranged in age from 17 to 41 and included several dual-nationals. Among them were Aisha and Bilal Ziyadne, ages 17 and 18, who were kidnapped from Kibbutz Holit while working with their father and older brother. Their father and older brother are still being held captive by Hamas.

Also freed was 21-year-old Mia Schem, a French-Israeli woman who appeared in a propaganda video released by Hamas in October. Her right arm seemed to be injured in the video, and her aunt revealed that it was operated on by a Palestinian veterinarian.

Hamas alleged on Wednesday that three Israeli hostages—a mother and her two children—were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The victims were identified as 4-year-old Ariel Bibas, his 10-month-old brother Kfir Bibas, and their mother, Shiri.

According to the Israeli military, more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed by Hamas militants during their invasion of southern Israel on October 7. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims that nearly 15,000 people have been killed in Gaza by Israel’s retaliatory ground incursion and airstrikes.

This article was written by Faris Tanyos, a news editor for CBSNews.com, who writes and edits stories and tracks breaking news. Tanyos previously worked as a digital news producer at various local news stations on the West Coast.

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