UPDATE: Israeli military resumes operations in Gaza following failed truce
The Israeli army has announced that it has resumed fighting against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, following the expiration of a week-long truce. According to reports, Israeli air strikes have been launched across Gaza, with Hamas also firing towards Israeli territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Hamas did not agree to release further captives, leading to the resumption of hostilities.
Thirty Palestinian prisoners have been freed from Israeli jails in exchange for the release of eight Israeli captives held in Gaza. Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza have reported the resumption of air raids and heavy clashes between Palestinian fighting groups and Israeli troops. Additionally, the government media office in Gaza has reported that 60 percent of homes in the region have been destroyed by Israeli bombardment.
In terms of diplomacy, Egypt and Qatar are working on negotiating a further extension of the truce, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has emphasized the need for more humanitarian aid to Gaza. Blinken also condemned Jewish settler attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Moreover, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has appealed to United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to intervene and secure the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza.