Despite the resumption of hostilities, Israel and Hamas are still engaged in negotiations through intermediaries on the potential release of hostages from Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resumed combat operations, accusing Hamas of violating the truce.
The ongoing talks involve the release of women hostages, with 136 still held in Gaza. If the release of civilian women is successful, negotiations may extend to include civilian men and military reservists. The Biden administration and Israeli officials express concern about women aged 20-30, many reportedly kidnapped from the Nova music festival. Hamas claims some women are considered part of the Israel Defense Forces. The brittle truce’s end led to renewed fighting and the interception of rockets near Tel Aviv by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system.
Netanyahu’s office said Hamas “didn’t respect its obligation to release today all the abducted women and launched rockets towards the citizens of Israel.” Despite the resumption
Netanyahu said his government remained committed to achieving its war aims, which he said were releasing the hostages, eliminating Hamas and ensuring that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israelis.
The Hamas-controlled Government Media Office in Gaza blamed the international community – and the United States in particular – for the resumption of fighting, saying they bear “responsibility for the crimes of the ‘Israeli’ occupation and the continuation of the brutal war against civilians, children and women in the Gaza Strip.”