Deaths are rising one after another in the Gaza Strip as fighting resumes after the expiration of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas.
On the 1st (local time), the health authorities in the Gaza Strip, run by Hamas, said in a statement, “109 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip since the expiration of the ceasefire on Friday (1st).”
The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has been in effect since the 24th, ended after a week at 7 a.m. (local time, 2 p.m. Korean time).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed, “Hamas did not fulfill its obligation to release all female hostages and fired rockets at Israeli citizens.”
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced in a statement that it attacked more than 200 terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip that day.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he would continue attacks on the Gaza Strip until the war’s ultimate goal, which includes dismantling Hamas, is achieved. He said the IDF had achieved impressive results since the Israeli military resumed its offensive on the first day of the ceasefire expiration.
As the ceasefire expired, the Rafah passage connecting Egypt and Gaza was closed on this day, preventing relief supplies from entering.
Meanwhile, Israel has resumed fighting against Lebanon, an ally of Hamas and the ‘Axis of Resistance’ supported by Iran.
According to Al Jazeera, Hezbollah claimed to have targeted Israeli troops near military facilities along the border with Israel.
The announcement was the first attack claimed by Hezbollah since the ceasefire expired this morning.
Earlier, senior Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah said in a broadcast speech about the situation in the Gaza Strip, “I am concerned that we are facing challenges in Lebanon,” and added, “Let us remain alert and always be ready to face all possibilities and dangers that may arise in our country.” “He said.
“No one thinks that Lebanon is exempt from Zionist (meaning Israeli) targeting or that what is happening in Gaza cannot affect the situation in Lebanon,” he emphasized.
The IDF said it was aware of attacks against Israel in Lebanon and responded with artillery fire.
The IDF explained that from Lebanon, “shelling was detected targeting the cities of Rosh Hankara, Magaliot, and Kiryat Shmona,” and that Israeli air defenses successfully prevented these attacks.
Reuters, citing a report by Hezbollah-affiliated television channel Al Manar, said that two civilians were killed in the village of Hula in southern Lebanon due to Israeli shelling.
The ‘Axis of Resistance’, including the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah, Syrian and Shia Iraqi militias, and Yemeni Houthi rebels, are shaking up the political situation in the Middle East by carrying out cross-border attacks.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government announced that it would continue to push for an extension of the ceasefire even though fighting had resumed.
“We continue to work with Israel, Egypt, and Qatar on efforts to extend the humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza,” a White House National Security Council spokesperson said.
However, the spokesperson claimed, “Hamas has so far failed to provide a list of hostages that would allow for a further extension of the ceasefire, which is hampering the prospects for reestablishing the ceasefire.”
He emphasized that President Joe Biden and officials “will continue to be deeply involved in the release of the remaining hostages.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.