Israel renews combat in Gaza as Hamas ceasefire ends

Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip shortly after a weeklong truce expired. The strikes hit southern Gaza, including a community east of Khan Younis and a home northwest of Gaza City. Sirens blared in Israel, indicating that Hamas had also resumed rocket attacks. The cease-fire, which began on November 24, was initially extended with the help of Qatar and Egypt. During the truce, Hamas released over 100 hostages in exchange for Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons. Efforts to extend the truce further were complicated by the remaining hostages and growing pressure on Israel to protect Palestinian civilians.