An Israeli government spokesman said that Hamas "will now take the mother of all thumpings" after a truce pausing fighting in the Gaza Strip expired and hostilities resumed.
"Unfortunately, Hamas decided to terminate the pause by failing to release all the kidnapped women," government spokesman Eylon Levy said, adding, “Having chosen to hold onto our women, Hamas will now take the mother of all thumpings.”
A week-long truce between Israel and Hamas ended as two sides failed to agree on the release of more hostages held by the group. Israeli jets struck Hamas targets in Gaza soon after the cease-fire finished as the army dropped leaflets on southern parts of the enclave telling people to evacuate, signaling an expansion of Israel’s ground offensive beyond north of the strip.