Click to see full-size image. (The Israeli Defense Forces).
The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip came to an end on December 1 morning after Israel and the Hamas Movement failed to reach a new agreement on the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that Hamas “violated the framework, did not meet its obligation to release all hostage women, and fired rockets at Israel.”
“Amid the return to combat, we stress that the government of Israel is committed to achieving the goals of the war — releasing our hostages, eliminating Hamas and ensuring that Gaza can never again threaten the people of Israel,” the office said.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also said that Hamas violated the ceasefire agreement and additionally fired rockets at Israel.
In response, the IDF says it has renewed its attacks on Hamas. Strikes were reported on the northern and southern parts of Gaza.
In addition, the IDF dropped leaflets over southern Gaza calling on people to leave the areas of al-Qarara, Khirbet al-Khuza’a, Abasan and Bani Suhaila to shelters in the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt, describing the city of Khan Yunis as a “dangerous combat zone”.
There were no reports of violations on the last day of the ceasefire. Hamas released eight Israeli hostages, all women and children. In return, Israel freed 30 Palestinian women and children from its prisons. Towards the end of the day several reports suggested that the ceasefire was going to be extended.
The ceasefire began on November 24 and was set to last for four days. However, it was first extended for two days then for an additional 24 hours. During the ceasefire, Hamas released 105 hostages: 81 Israelis, 23 Thai nationals and one Filipino. From its side, Israel freed at least 240 Palestinians from its prisons.
Even after the end of the ceasefire, CNN and BBC reported that efforts are ongoing to broker a new deal between Israel and Hamas. An unnamed Palestinian source told the BBC talks are ongoing through mediators. AFP’s Qatari office also cited an unidentified source who said the same.
