The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expired on Friday with neither side confirming another extension. Meanwhile, Palestinian media reported explosions and gunfire in northern Gaza, and rocket sirens sounded in southern Israel. Hamas-controlled Palestinian Interior Ministry said Israeli “aircraft fly over Gaza and its vehicles open fire in the northwest of the Strip.” Hamas also said “intense armed clashes have renewed” in the northern Gaza Strip. On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel “will resume fierce fighting across the whole Gaza Strip” as soon as the effort to return hostages is “maximized.”
Netanyahu’s office: Israel committed to war goals
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Friday that with the return to fighting, Israel stands ready to achieve its war’s goals, which include the elimination of Hamas, the safe return of hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israeli residents. “The terrorist organization Hamas-ISIS violated the plan, did not live up to its duty to release all the kidnapped women today, and launched rockets at the citizens of Israel,” the prime minister’s office said in the statement. Namely, the days-long humanitarian pause between Israel and Hamas ended this morning with neither side confirming the extension of the agreement. The Israeli military confirmed the resumption of the aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip. NN: My read is its only a matter of time before the war begins again. Israel is committed to wiping Hamas of the face of the earth.