Hamas Fire Rockets in Southern Israel, Marking End of Ceasefire
Hamas in Gaza fired rockets at southern Israel on Friday morning, December 1, setting off rocket sirens in the area for the first time in a week. This marked the end of the temporary ceasefire in the region which held for one week.
More specifically, Hamas not only renewed rocket fire toward southern Israel but also failed to provide an adequate list of hostages to release to extend the ceasefire deal, with Israel announcing that this stood in violation of the ceasefire agreement and that the war was resuming.
Hamas had violated the framework of the ceasefire before; on Tuesday, three explosive devices were detonated adjacent to IDF troops in two different locations in the northern Gaza Strip, and in one of those, terrorists also opened fire at the troops, who responded with fire. Several soldiers were lightly injured during the incidents.
On Friday, over an hour before the ceasefire was set to end at 7 a.m., a rocket was fired from Gaza toward southern Israel, with a second round of rocket fire reported a few minutes before the end of the ceasefire. IDF said that Israel also conducted airstrikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Friday morning, after Hamas’s initial strikes.
Meanwhile, the IDF ordered civilians in Khan Yunis, the city where Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is believed to be hiding, to evacuate on Friday morning, warning that “the city of Khan Yunis is a dangerous combat zone.”
The IDF instructed Gazans to follow IDF instructions in various media outlets. If they see the number of the block they are in published, they should follow the instructions that will be issued for that specific block. “The IDF takes all possible precautions to avoid causing loss of civilian life or injury, adopting all available means,” said the IDF. (JPost / VFI News)
“God, we ask that You extend Your loving shield of protection over all Israeli and Gazan innocent civilians. We pray that our forces will soon be able to eliminate all Hamas targets so that we can live in peace and try to restore our lives after the tragedies that have occurred. We extend our deepest sympathy to all Israelis who have been personally affected by the war and we pray for its immediate cessation, as well as for the return of all remaining hostages. May You assist us towards accomplishing these gravely important missions.”
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