New strikes in Gaza as Israel-Hamas fighting resumes: Live updates

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant accused Hamas of violating a cease-fire agreement with Israel, he said at a press conference on Saturday.

“Hamas has blatantly violated the agreement we made with the United States, Egypt and Qatar,” Gallant said.

A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas collapsed after Hamas promised to return the remaining 15 women and two children, but has not followed through, Gallant said.

Galant addressed Hamas’s demand on Wednesday Two young children – 4-year-old Ariel and 10-month-old Kafir Bibas – were killed in an Israeli airstrike, only saying they had previously been photographed alive.

“Hamas promised to bring women and children; 17 people are left behind. We need 17 people, two children from the Bibas family and 15 women,” Gallant said.

“It’s their duty because we agreed to it,” he said.

CNN previously reported talks between Israel and Hamas Saturday broke A source familiar with the talks said Israel continued to press for the release of the women’s group, but Hamas refused. As negotiations stalled over the women, Hamas pushed to open negotiations on the men’s release — possibly on different terms, according to the source. Israel rejected the idea, insisting it needed to free all the women first.

Israeli and US officials believe Hamas continues to hold many hostages Women between the ages of approximately 20 to 30 years – Many of them were kidnapped Nova Music Festival – CNN previously reported. Hamas insists that some of the remaining women it holds hostage were considered part of the Israel Defense Forces, which Israel denies.

“Gaza City is more than half of Hamas’ power,” Gallant said. “We still have work to do there. We will continue to operate around the Gaza Strip.”

Asked whether the Israeli bombardment of Gaza would affect the remaining hostages, Gallant said the “aggressive action” taken by the IDF was necessary.

“We consider everything,” he said.