Israel and Hamas disregarded international pleas to renew an expired truce on Saturday. The air strikes targeted militant spots in Gaza, while Palestinian groups fired rockets. The Hamas government in Gaza reported 240 casualties since the pause in hostilities expired and combat resumed.
The Israeli military’s Home Front Command reported 40 missile alerts in the south and centre of the country. Meanwhile, Palestinian groups launched “rocket barrages” on several Israeli cities and towns including Tel Aviv.
According to the United Nations, about 1.7 million people in Gaza, which is over two-thirds of the population, have been displaced by the war. The situation in Gaza has been declared a humanitarian catastrophe by UN agencies due to the shortage of food, water, and essentials, as well as the significant destruction of homes, hospitals, and infrastructure critical for the survival of the civilian population.
Israel withdrew its negotiators from Doha after talks aimed at securing a renewed pause in hostilities reached a deadlock. The truce, which had enabled the release of 80 Israeli hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners, ended on Friday, leading to blame between the two sides for its breakdown.
Amid the escalating situation, international leaders and humanitarian groups have condemned the return to fighting. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed regret over the military operations in Gaza, while Israel continued its military operations, targeting over 400 locations in Gaza since the end of the truce.
