Airstrikes bombard Gaza Strip; Israel، Hamas trade blame on truce's end

Israeli military forces on Friday bombarded the Gaza Strip with airstrikes and dropped leaflets warning civilians to flee areas in the south، signaling an escalation in combat hours after a weeklong truce between Israel and Hamas expired.

Israel said it resumed fighting after Hamas "violated" the cease-fire and fired toward Israel. Hamas officials blamed the Israelis، saying they turned down offers to release elderly hostages as well as the bodies of hostages.

Within 30 minutes of the truce's end، Israel announced its fighter jets were striking Hamas targets throughout Gaza، including a southern Gaza community east of Khan Younis. Another strike hit a home northwest of Gaza City، according to the Associated Press. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said over 100 Palestinians died in Israeli airstrikes Friday.

Khan Younis labelled as a “dangerous battle zone”

Israeli forces also dropped leaflets over areas of southern Gaza، warning people to flee and labeling Khan Younis a “dangerous battle zone.”

Meantime، sirens warning of incoming rockets blared in several Israeli communities near the Gaza border; there were no reported hits. Photos captured rockets being fired from inside Gaza toward Israel.

The halt in fighting began a week ago، on Nov. 24، and was extended with the help of Qatar and fellow mediator Egypt. It led to the release of over 100 hostages and 240 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. On Friday، Qatar said they were working to renew a truce and expressed "deep regret" over the renewed combat.

More than 13،300 Palestinians have been killed since the war broke out nearly two months ago، according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. About 1،200 Israelis have been killed، mostly civilians during Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

There are 137 hostages being held by Hamas as of Friday، including 115 men، 20 women and two children according to an Israeli government briefing. Of this group، 126 are Israeli and 11 are foreign nationals.

Work towards another ceasefire

 German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on the international community to work toward another cease-fire for the sake of “the remaining hostages who have been hoping for release in dark tunnels for weeks، and for the suffering people in Gaza، who urgently need more humanitarian aid.”

Khalil al-Hayeh، a senior figure in Hamas’ political branch، told Al Jazeera that he is open to discussions on a comprehensive cease-fire and the release of additional civilian hostages.