Australian Strategic Policy Institute Malcolm Davis says the explosion near Gaza just moments before the ceasefire commenced on Friday was a clear message from Israel that this is a temporary thing.
Video of an explosion was captured just moments before the ceasefire came into effect on Friday.
“I think the Israelis have already made that clear that they are not going to give up while Hamas is basically intact,” he told Sky News host Steve Price.
“If the Israelis did that then Hamas would simply regroup, re-arm and launch another October 7 style attack and we would be back where we started,” he said.
“So, I think that the Israelis are sending a clear message to Hamas that this is a temporary thing to exchange hostages, to bring in some aid into Gaza and then the war will begin again.”
The first 13 hostages held by Hamas are due to be released on Friday after seven weeks of fighting.
Both parties agreed to a deal earlier this week to secure the release of 50 women and children out of the 240 hostages taken on October 7.
