Israel-Palestine Ceasefire Ends After 7 Days... Israel Resumes Combat Against Hamas (Comprehensive)

Israel "Hamas Violates Ceasefire Agreement"
Hamas Launches Attacks Around Ceasefire End

On the 1st (local time), the Israeli military resumed fighting in the Gaza Strip, accusing the Palestinian armed faction Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement.

A Palestinian who was imprisoned in Israel was released in the early morning of the 28th (local time) in Ramallah, West Bank of the Jordan River in Israel, and is being welcomed.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

According to major foreign media, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement on the day saying, "Hamas violated the suspension of military operations and fired towards Israeli territory," adding, "The IDF has resumed combat against the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip."

This marks seven full days since the temporary ceasefire between the two sides began on the 24th of last month, and 55 days since the outbreak of the war. Previously, Israel and Hamas entered a temporary ceasefire from the 24th for four days under conditions that included exchanging three Palestinian prisoners for every one hostage and allowing humanitarian aid including fuel into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended twice, for two days on the 28th and for one day on the 30th.

On the morning of the day the six-day ceasefire expired, at 7 a.m. (2 p.m. Korean time), the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the ceasefire would be extended for a third time by one day. However, just minutes after the deadline passed, Israel announced the resumption of combat.

It was confirmed that Hamas launched attacks on Israel around the end of the ceasefire. According to Israel's public broadcaster Kan, rocket alert sirens sounded in Israeli areas near the Gaza border just over an hour before the temporary ceasefire ended. Israel responded by ordering schools near the Gaza border to close.

The IDF stated that its air defense system successfully intercepted projectiles launched from the Gaza Strip. It also reported that combat aircraft were conducting airstrikes targeting Hamas positions in Gaza. Major foreign media and Palestinian outlets reported that the IDF bombed northern Gaza, with sounds of gunfire and explosions heard, and shared photos and videos showing smoke rising. The Israeli daily Haaretz reported that attacks were occurring not only in northern Gaza but also in the southern Khan Yunis and Rafah areas near the Egyptian border.

Meanwhile, since the ceasefire, Hamas has released 105 hostages, and Israel is reported to have freed 240 Palestinian prisoners. The number of hostages abducted by Hamas during its airstrike on Israel on October 7 and taken to the Gaza Strip is approximately 240.