Key events
The Israeli military says a launch from Gaza was detected early on Friday and had been intercepted.
It came after the military said rocket sirens sounded early on Friday in Israeli communities near the border with the Gaza Strip, about an hour before the extended truce between Hamas and Israel was due to expire, Reuters reports.
Rocket warning sirens sound in Israel near Gaza border
Rocket sirens blared early on Friday in Israeli communities near the border with Gaza, the Israeli military said, about an hour before a seven-day truce between Hamas and Israel was due to expire.
Israel’s Kan public broadcaster described the sirens as the first to sound since the ceasefire, which has been extended twice, began on 24 November, Reuters reports.
Neither side has announced an extension to the truce.
There was no immediate comment from Hamas.
The truce is set to expire at 7am (0500 GMT).
US secretary of state Antony Blinken has had a busy schedule in Israel, meeting a host of senior figures in recent hours.
Met with Israeli Minister @gantzbe to discuss measures to ensure Israel’s safety, release of hostages, and measures to minimize harm to civilians. Also spoke about the need to restore calm along the Blue Line. pic.twitter.com/4auVFAykbR
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 1, 2023
In my meeting with Defense Minister @yoavgallant, I reaffirmed the United States’ support for Israel’s right to protect itself in compliance with international humanitarian law, while urging that Israel take all possible measures to avoid civilian harm. pic.twitter.com/FySUTFQPhb
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 30, 2023
Israeli Minister @yairlapid and I discussed continuing efforts to protect civilians during Israel’s operations and the need to address rising levels of extremist settler violence in the West Bank against Palestinian civilians – to include holding perpetrators accountable. pic.twitter.com/ztvAZYTxcJ
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 30, 2023
Opening summary
Welcome to our continuing live coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. This is Adam Fulton and I’ll will be with you for the coming while.
Here’s a summary of the latest developments as it approaches 5.30am in Gaza City and Tel Aviv:
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Eight Israeli hostages held in Gaza were released on Thursday. Hamas freed six of the hostages hours after releasing two Israeli women. All were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza and were being brought to Israel to be taken to hospitals and be reunited with their families, the Israeli military said.
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Israel released 30 Palestinians from Israeli jails as part of latest exchange, the Israel Prison Service said early on Friday. News agency images show them being welcomed by jubilant crowds Ramallah in the West Bank.
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Hamas is willing to further extend the truce to pause fighting with Israel, a source close to Hamas has told Agence France-Presse. The extension is due to expire early on Friday after a seven-day pause. The source was quoted as saying mediators were making intense efforts to continue the truce. Israel had yet to respond, AFP said.
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US secretary of state Antony Blinken said in Tel Aviv on Thursday: “Clearly, we want to see this process continue to move forward.” Blinken also stepped up calls for Israel to comply with international law and spare civilians in the war against Hamas in Gaza.
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Three people were killed and 13 injured after two brothers from East Jerusalem shot at people waiting at a bus stop on a main road towards the western edge of the city in the rush hour, local police and medics reported. Hamas’s armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the attack.
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An Israeli military assault into the south of Gaza may lead to 1 million refugees, the head of the UN’s Palestine relief agency, UNRWA, has warned. After a second overnight visit to Gaza, Philippe Lazzarini urged Israel to think through the consequences of an offensive in the south if the temporary truce in the fighting was not extended.
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Seventeen Thai hostages freed by Hamas over recent days have landed back in Bangkok, where relatives had gathered at the airport to welcome them home. The latest releases bring the total number of Thai nationals freed to 23, with nine still being held.