Israel says Hamas violated ceasefire, war in Gaza resumes
Hamas 'violated the framework, did not meet its obligation to release all hostage women, and fired rockets at Israel'
TIMES OF ISRAEL – The Israel Defence Forces says it has renewed its attacks on the Hamas terror group in Gaza.
The IDF said Hamas had violated the ceasefire agreement – the terror group did not provide Israel by 7am with a list of hostages to be released – and additionally fired rockets at Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office said in a statement that Hamas “violated the framework, did not meet its obligation to release all hostage women, and fired rockets at Israel.”
“Amid the return to combat, we stress the government of Israel is committed to achieving the goals of the war — releasing our hostages, eliminating Hamas and ensuring that Gaza can never again threaten the people of Israel,” the statement said.
Israeli airstrikes have hit southern Gaza, including the community of Abassan east of Khan Younis, Hamas officials say. Another strike hit a home northwest of Gaza City.
Loud, continuous explosions were heard coming from the Gaza Strip, and black smoke billows from the territory.
The Hamas-run health ministry said three people have been killed in Israeli air raids in Rafah, in the Strip’s south.
The IDF said several rockets were fired from Gaza just before 7am, setting off sirens in the southern community of Holit. It said the Iron Dome was not used to intercept the projectiles as they were headed for uninhabited areas. This in addition to several launches at around 6am.
In light of a resumption in fighting, the Home Front Command instructed that schools in much of central and southern Israel will open only if students can reach sheltered spaces in time in the event of rocket attacks.
Schools in the Gaza periphery remain closed.
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