The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was supposed to last until 06.00 Norwegian time, Friday morning.
But about an hour earlier, there were reports that a flight alert had been triggered in Israel. The IDF confirmed that a rocket had been fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel.
In the following hours, several people were confirmed dead by health authorities in Gaza following an airstrike in Gaza City.
Thus, the seven-day ceasefire had ended. And although a total of 83 Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip and 240 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons have been released, there are still many more Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners remaining.
Some were arrested
Israel claims around 125 people are still being held hostage in the Gaza Strip. And around 7,000 Palestinian prisoners are still imprisoned in Israel.
Among them is Palestinian politician Marwan Barghouti. He is currently serving a life sentence in Israel after being found guilty in 2004 of deadly attacks on Israeli citizens.
For many Palestinians, Barghouti is seen as a future leader and has earned the nickname “the Nelson Mandela of Palestine,” according to the report. France 24.
Israel: Continuing fighting in Gaza
Among the Israeli hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip are several young men kidnapped at the Supernova festival near Kibbutz Re’im.
One of them is Omer Shem-Tov, a 21 year old Israeli citizen. On October 7, his parents were able to see how he was driven straight to the Gaza Strip after he told them his location.
He was later identified in a video shared by Hamas on Telegram.
Different values
According to the professionals Dagbladet spoke to, the hostages remain one of Hamas’ most important bargaining chips.
– The hostages are the most important tool Hamas has to influence Israel politically. Hamas has benefited greatly from taking care of the hostages to the extent possible. The hostages who have the highest value for Hamas are those who represent the state of Israel, such as officers and soldiers, Tormod Heier, professor of strategy and military operations at the Norwegian Defense Academy (FHS), told Dagbladet.
Furthermore, he explained that hostages such as women and children have a greater symbolic effect, but prisoners with the highest value give more status to Hamas.
According to Heier, Hamas will demand more hostages than those released in the ceasefire.
DEFENSE EXPERT: Lead researcher and lieutenant colonel Tormod Heier at the Staff College at the Norwegian Defense Academy. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
see more
Subject to ceasefire
Kåre Reidar Aas was Norway’s ambassador to Israel until this fall. He was political director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Norway’s ambassador to the US, Afghanistan and Israel.
He described how sad it was that the ceasefire had been violated.
– There is hope that this ceasefire will be extended, he told Dagbladet.
To free the hostages, Aas stated that a ceasefire was needed
– Hostage exchange cannot take place if a fight breaks out. The hostages are a very important bargaining chip for Hamas, said the former ambassador to Israel.
FORMER AMBASSADOR: Kåre Reidar Aas was Norway’s ambassador to Israel until this fall. Private photo
see more
– Military objectives were not achieved
Aas believes that massive diplomatic activity is now underway to bring about a new ceasefire.
– But first, I think you will see that Israel will carry out more extensive military operations in the south of the Gaza Strip. “We know that they have not achieved their military goals by freeing hostages, neutralizing the Hamas leadership and destroying the entire military infrastructure,” he said.
Released: – Suddenly we were attacked
Aas believes that Qatar, Egypt and the United States will also be the driving forces for a ceasefire in the future, and they will establish close cooperation.
According to the former ambassador to Israel, when a new ceasefire will occur will depend largely on how much pressure the US will put on Israel.
– It’s hard to imagine this could be relevant in the coming days. “I think we will see more military operations in Gaza with consequences and destruction that will impact the civilian population in Gaza,” he said.
Professor Tormod Heier believes that Hamas could potentially try to extend the time with a new ceasefire.
LSD high: – Slaughtered
– There is great tension among the civilian population in Israel regarding the release of the hostages.
– When do you think a new ceasefire can be concluded between the two parties?
– We have to speculate, but I think it’s possible there will be a ceasefire in a few weeks, said Heier.
“Hardcore zombie fan. Incurable internet advocate. Subtly charming problem solver. Freelance twitter ninja.”
