Hamas Renews Attacks on Israel as Pause in Fighting Ends

Latest Developments

Hamas formally ended the pause in fighting on December 1, launching numerous rockets at Israeli communities around Gaza. The seven-day pause had begun on November 24. Hamas handed over innocent hostages each day of the pause in exchange for Israel’s release of Palestinian prisoners guilty of a range of crimes. Hamas handed over the last group of hostages on November 30. In the hours since, Hamas chose not to send a new list of hostages for release and began firing rockets around 6:00 a.m. local time.

Expert Analysis

“Israel has both the right and the duty to resume this counter-offensive. No one should be surprised or shocked. Hamas proved to be a slippery and morally foul ‘partner’ in the so-called ‘humanitarian pause,’ not delivering the promised hostages and mounting transparent and cruel attempts at psychological warfare by announcing the deaths of three members of the Bibas family. But there is another, overarching reason: Any truce with Hamas is, by definition, temporary. Hamas is sworn to Israel’s destruction and, as proven on October 7, will seize any opportunity to implement that plan. Israel deserves full U.S. support to pursue its objectives.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Hamas chose to attack Israel rather than hand over more hostages. The terrorist group has sought to dictate terms to Israel to gain influence and more time to rearm during the pause in fighting. Hamas must be defeated and its leadership removed from Gaza. The group has proven it is an existential threat to Israel, and its backers in Iran have pushed proxies in the region to target the United States and Israel.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

Rockets Target Israeli Cities

At 9:00 a.m. local time, sirens sounded in the city of Ashkelon, indicating Hamas was targeting the large city near Gaza. The terrorist group also said it targeted Beersheba, a large city in Israel’s southern Negev Desert. The rockets fell in open areas. Israel carried out retaliatory airstrikes after the rocket fire.

Israel Provides Map for Gazans’ Safety

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) published an evacuation zone map for parts of the Gaza Strip on November 24. “This divides the territory of the Gaza Strip into areas according to recognizable areas to enable the residents of Gaza to orient themselves and understand the instructions, and to evacuate from specific places for their safety if required,” the IDF said. The map is part of the preparation for the next stage of the war and aims to help the IDF avoid harming civilians in Gaza.

“The terrorist organization Hamas uses the residents of the Gaza Strip as human shields, placing its command and military infrastructure in residential areas, hospitals, mosques, and schools,” the IDF said in a statement on December 1, posted on its WhatsApp channel.

Related Analysis

“Hamas Asks for Extension of Pause in Fighting,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Extends Pause in Fighting by One Day,” FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Airlift of Gaza Aid Arrives in Egypt,” FDD Flash Brief