Fighting Continues on Second Day After Ceasefire Ends... Gaza Strip Covered in Ashen Smoke

767 Casualties Reported on the First Day of Resumption of Hostilities

Israel continued its large-scale airstrikes on the Palestinian Gaza Strip on the second day, November 2 (local time), after the temporary ceasefire with the Palestinian armed faction Hamas ended. Nearly two months of ongoing war have already claimed the lives of more than 15,000 Palestinians, but concerns are growing that greater devastation will occur in Gaza as Hamas' leadership and core forces remain intact.

According to the Times of Israel, the Israeli military launched a large-scale operation overnight targeting Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. Intense clashes involving ground, naval, and air forces are taking place in the northern and southern parts of Gaza, attacking terrorist targets.

Israeli media Channel 12 reported that a large-scale ground battle occurred in Khan Yunis, a southern city in Gaza. Khan Yunis is known as a region where some Hamas leadership is hiding. Israeli military spokesperson Jonathan Conricus stated, "We are currently striking Hamas military targets throughout the Gaza Strip."

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Hamas is also reported to have issued combat orders to its members. A source close to Hamas revealed that Hamas armed forces have been ordered to resume fighting and defend Gaza. If clashes between Israel and Hamas intensify, casualties on both sides are expected to increase.

Following the end of the temporary ceasefire the previous day, Israel conducted airstrikes across Gaza, including Khan Yunis and Rafah. The Israeli military announced via Telegram that it also targeted Hamas' operational command centers and underground facilities.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health affiliated with Hamas, on the first day of resumed fighting alone, 178 people were killed and 589 injured due to Israeli attacks in Gaza. Earlier, Israel declared the resumption of hostilities seven days after the ceasefire, accusing Hamas of violating the agreement by firing into Israel on November 1.

Nearly two months of war have already resulted in over 15,000 Palestinian deaths and 1.8 million displaced persons, but with Hamas' top leadership and core forces still intact, concerns are mounting that even greater tragedies will unfold in Gaza.

The Israeli military believes that Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' top leader and the mastermind behind the surprise Israeli attack on October 7, is hiding in tunnels beneath Khan Yunis. A senior Israeli Defense Ministry official also stated that most of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas from Israel are hidden in various locations in southern Gaza.

There are also concerns that the war between Israel and Hamas could expand to surrounding areas. On November 2, the Syrian Ministry of Defense reported that Israeli forces attacked near Damascus, the capital of Syria. The Syrian Ministry of Defense stated, "At 1:35 a.m. today, Israel conducted airstrikes from the occupied Golan Heights, targeting several locations near Damascus."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.