War in the Middle East - Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expires - fighting resumes in Gaza Strip
The Israeli army says it has resumed fighting against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Fighter jets are currently attacking Islamist Hamas targets in the sealed-off area, the army announced on Friday morning after the end of the week-long ceasefire.
Israel accuses Hamas of violating the ceasefire
Hamas had violated the ceasefire and fired on Israeli territory, the army said. Shortly before the deadline for the ceasefire expired, the army said it had initially repelled a suspected rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Subsequently, several attacks were reported from the sealed-off area towards Israel, which were not intercepted.
The Arabic television channel Al-Jazeera reported heavy fighting in the city of Gaza and other areas in the north of the Gaza Strip, citing eyewitnesses. In the center of the Gaza Strip, there was also tank fire near the Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps, it said. The BBC also reported air strikes in the south of the Gaza Strip, citing Hamas. The British broadcaster reported that its own sources had confirmed this.
Both sides had agreed a ceasefire a week ago, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the USA, which has since been extended twice - most recently by one day. During this time, dozens of Israeli hostages were released by Hamas, while Israel released Palestinian prisoners in return. In addition, further aid supplies reached the sealed-off Gaza Strip.
US Secretary of State Blinken warned of civilian casualties
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken clearly called on Israel's leadership to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip. Should Israel resume the war and advance against the southern Gaza Strip in order to pursue Hamas, it is "imperative" that Israel adheres to international humanitarian law and the rules of warfare, said Blinken. The numerous civilian deaths and displacement on the scale seen in the northern Gaza Strip must not be repeated in the south, he warned.
During the ceasefire, 80 hostages abducted from Israel by the Palestinian organization have so far been freed as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. In return, 210 Palestinian prisoners have been released. In addition, 23 Thais, a Filipino and a Russian-Israeli dual national were released outside the agreement.
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The Israeli army targeted Harakat el-Mukawame el-Islamije, an Islamic militant group affiliated with Hamas, in response to the ceasefire violations. The fighting resumed in the Gaza Strip, creating a critical need for a fire break to prevent the spread of the conflict.
Source: www.stern.de
