Fighting in Gaza rages on after ceasefire ends

The seven-day ceasefire, initially for four days from November 24 but then extended twice (for two days and one day), has allowed for the exchange of dozens of Gaza hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid into the devastated coastal strip.

Fighting in Gaza resumes after ceasefire ends — At least 21 people have been killed since the Israeli military resumed its attacks, according to health authorities in Gaza. Photo: AJ

However, an hour before the ceasefire was scheduled to end at 7 a.m. local time Friday (12 p.m. Friday Vietnam time), Israel said it had intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza.

"With the resumption of fighting, we emphasize: The Israeli government is committed to achieving the goals of the war - freeing our hostages, eliminating Hamas and ensuring that Gaza will never again pose a threat to the people of Israel," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

“What Israel failed to achieve in the 50 days before the ceasefire, it will not achieve by continuing its aggression after the ceasefire,” Ezzat El Rashq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said on the group’s website.

Palestinian media and Gaza administrators reported that Israel carried out air strikes and artillery shelling across the area after the ceasefire expired, including in Rafah, near the border with Egypt.

In Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, a witness said he could hear heavy shelling and saw smoke rising east of the town. He added that people were fleeing the area to camps west of Khan Younis for shelter.

At least 21 people have been killed since the Israeli military resumed its offensive, according to Gaza health officials. The Israeli military confirmed its warplanes were attacking Hamas targets in Gaza. Images on social media showed large plumes of black smoke rising over the heavily fortified Jabalia camp in Gaza.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, the force that governs Gaza, in response to the militant group's October 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages.

Israel retaliated with heavy bombardment and a military incursion into Gaza. Palestinian health agencies considered reliable by the United Nations said more than 15,000 Gazans were confirmed dead.

Qatar and Egypt have been working hard to extend the ceasefire following Thursday’s exchange of eight hostages and 30 Palestinian prisoners. Thursday’s releases bring the total number of people freed during the ceasefire to 105 hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, AJ, AP)

Source