Gaza hit with full force after truce expires

GAZA STRIP — Israeli fighter jets hit targets in the Gaza Strip minutes after a weeklong truce expired on Friday, as the conflict with Hamas resumed in full force.

The United Nations deplored the resumption of military operations in Gaza, describing the hostilities as "catastrophic" and urging parties to ensure a lasting cease-fire be upheld.

Black smoke billowed from the besieged territory as Israel dropped leaflets over parts of southern Gaza urging people to leave their homes, suggesting it was preparing to widen its offensive.

Renewed hostilities heightened concerns for about 140 hostages who remain in Gaza, after more than 100 were freed as part of the truce.

Meanwhile, negotiators continued talks to restart the truce, according to mediator Qatar.

Israel and Hamas have traded blame for the collapse of the ceasefire, with each saying the other side violated terms of the truce. Qatar, which serves as mediator along with Egypt, expressed "deep regret" over the resumption of Israeli bombardments in Gaza.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry said "the continued bombing of the Gaza Strip in the first hours after the end of the pause complicates mediation efforts and exacerbates the humanitarian catastrophe" in the territory. It urged the international community to "move quickly to stop the violence".

The renewed fighting came a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli officials and urged them to do more to protect Palestinian civilians as they seek to destroy Hamas.

But most of Gaza's population is now crammed into the south with no exit, raising questions over how an Israeli offensive there can avoid heavy civilian casualties.

It was not clear to what extent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will heed the appeals of the United States, Israel's most important ally. Netanyahu's office said on Friday that Israel "is committed to achieving the goals: Releasing the hostages, eliminating Hamas and ensuring that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israeli residents".

Only hours into the renewed offensive, the Health Ministry of Hamas-controlled Gaza said more than 60 people had been killed and dozens wounded.

In the leaflets it dropped in southern Gaza, Israel urged people to leave homes east of Khan Younis city. The leaflets also warned that Khan Younis was now a "dangerous battle zone".

Hundreds of thousands of people fled northern Gaza earlier in the conflict, with many taking shelter in Khan Younis and other places in the south.

One of the first airstrikes on Friday destroyed a large building in Khan Younis. Moments later, residents were seen frantically searching the rubble for survivors as medics approached. One wounded person was carried away on a stretcher.

Marwan al-Hams, director of Al-Najar hospital in Rafah in southern Gaza, where many Palestinians fled after being told by Israel to leave the north of the territory, said strikes killed at least nine people in the city, including four children.

Heavy fighting

Elsewhere, two children were killed in air raids on Gaza City, said Fadel Naim, a doctor with Al-Ahli hospital in the city.

A source close to Hamas said the group's armed wing had received "the order to resume combat" and "defend the Gaza Strip", with heavy fighting reported in parts of Gaza City.

Sirens warning of potential missile fire sounded around several communities near Gaza in the hour after fighting resumed, and Israeli authorities said they were restarting security measures in the area, including closing schools.

The halt in the fighting began on Nov 24. It initially lasted for four days, and then was extended for several days with the help of Qatar and Egypt.

During the weeklong truce, a total of 83 Israelis, including dual nationals, were freed, most of whom appeared physically well but shaken. Another 24 hostages — 23 Thais and one Filipino — were also released, including several men.

Agencies - Xinhua