TEL AVIV, December 6. /TASS/. Israel’s Galei Tzahal Army Radio Station insists that combat in the Gaza Strip will continue for at least another month until a new truce.
According to the radio station, the fighting aims to put military pressure on the radical Palestinian movement Hamas in order to resume talks on releasing hostages held by the radicals on better terms.
The radio station cites anonymous sources in Israeli security services that pressure on Hamas will be carried out by means of military operations in the enclave’s north and south.
On November 22, Hamas reported reaching an agreement with Israel, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip that came into effect on November 24. The agreements envisaged the release of 50 women, children and teenagers held in the enclave in exchange for the release of 150 women, children and teenagers from Israeli prisons. On November 27, the sides extended the agreement on the same terms, that is, three Palestinian prisoners would be released in exchange for every Israeli hostage freed by the Hamas movement. On December 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire and announced renewed fighting in the Gaza Strip. Palestine’s authorities said the US was responsible for Israel’s renewed aggression.