What’s happening:
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came to a sudden end as the latter failed to provide a list of 10 hostages set to be released, leading to a new wave of rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel shortly before the truce deadline.
Why it matters:
The breakdown of the ceasefire raises the risk of escalating violence and further casualties. The resumed fighting underscores the fragile nature of truces in the region and the complexity of negotiating hostage releases during ongoing conflicts.
The Details:
Despite the initial release of 105 hostages, including 81 Israelis, the truce came to an abrupt halt when Hamas did not submit the names of an additional 10 hostages by the 7 a.m. deadline. Israel, having conditioned the continuation of the ceasefire on the receipt of this information, returned to military action once rockets began targeting its communities.
Rocket Attacks:
Rockets were fired towards the Gaza border area and as far as Ashkelon, but no injuries have been reported thanks to the Iron Dome missile defense system which intercepted the attacks.
Statements from Officials:
An Israeli military official announced the resumption of forceful fighting and noted that the number of women and children still in captivity is a concern, with at least 13 women remaining detained. The fate of two young boys from the Bibas family, who were abducted along with their mother Shiri on October 7, remains uncertain amid conflicting reports from Hamas.
Family Tragedy Highlighted:
Yarden Bibas, the father of the abducted boys, was featured in a distressing video released by Hamas, where he spoke about the alleged death of his wife and children. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not confirmed these claims.
Looking Ahead:
The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for the possibility of prolonged conflict. International efforts to restore the ceasefire continue, but the immediate outlook is uncertain and heavily dependent on the actions of Hamas and Israel’s response to ongoing threats.
This story was first published on ynetnews.com.