**Israel Resumes Combat Operations in Gaza Strip as Truce with Hamas Expires**
***A Resumption of Combat Operations***
Israel’s military has announced the resumption of combat operations in the Gaza Strip just minutes after a temporary truce with Hamas expired on Friday. The cease-fire, which began a week ago on November 24, initially lasted for four days and was extended for several days with the assistance of Qatar and Egypt. However, the halt in fighting came to an end at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Friday after the expiration of the temporary truce.
**Truce Negotiations and Releases**
During the week-long truce, Hamas and other militants in Gaza released over 100 hostages, the majority of whom were Israelis. In exchange for the release of these hostages, 240 Palestinians were freed from prisons in Israel. Most of the freed Palestinians were women and children. However, reaching a deal for a further extension of the truce was complicated by the fact that there were few remaining hostages in Gaza.
**Challenges in Extending the Truce**
Hamas, the militant group that has ruled Gaza for 16 years, was expected to demand a higher price for the remaining hostages, particularly Israeli soldiers. Currently, around 140 hostages remain in Gaza, with more than 100 having been released as part of the truce. Qatar and Egypt, key mediators in the negotiations, had been attempting to extend the truce by an additional two days in order to continue the negotiations and secure the release of the remaining hostages.
**Ongoing Mediation Efforts**
Qatar and Egypt have played a vital role as mediators in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The two countries sought to prolong the truce and facilitate further negotiations. However, the expiration of the temporary truce has led to the resumption of combat operations in the Gaza Strip as Israel alleges that Hamas broke the cease-fire.
The situation in the region remains tense as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to unfold. The resumption of combat operations marks the end of the temporary truce and raises concerns about the possibility of further escalations in the ongoing battles between the two parties. As international mediators continue their efforts to reach a lasting cease-fire, the situation in the Gaza Strip remains a focal point of global attention.
