Israel Resumes Violent Onslaught In Gaza As Truce With Hamas Ends

Explosions and heavy gunfire have been reported in the north, central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip as Israel resumes combat operations against Hamas.

The violence started at approximately 7 a.m. local time (05:00GMT) on Friday, as the deadline for the 7 day long truce passed.

There were reports of gunfire and explosions an hour before the truce expired, which Israel claimed was Hamas violating the ceasefire agreement. However, a source close to the truce negotiations reported to the BBC that Hamas claimed Israel violated the truce by not allowing fuel into the north of Gaza.

Al Jazeera journalists have also reported air strikes and shelling in the north and east of Gaza. Israeli tanks were also seen near Nuserat and Bureji refugee camps in central Gaza.

“The Gaza Strip is under heavy artillery and even aerial bombardment by the Israeli occupation forces,” said Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Khan Younis in southern Gaza. “In the coming hours, we might witness a surging increase in the number of Israeli strikes across the territory.”

Mediators are continuing efforts to reach another truce agreement even as the fighting resumes.

Tags: Israel-Palestine War Hamas