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Israel-Gaza conflict: Israel abandons truce and resumes military offensive after Hamas rockets keep flying Israel-Gaza conflict: Hamas agrees to new humanitarian truce to mark Eid celebrations
(about 3 hours later)
Israel has resumed its military offensive in Gaza more than 12 hours before the proposed end to a humanitarian truce after Hamas’s rocket barrage continued. Militants in Gaza have agreed to hold a further 24-hour ceasefire to mark the anticipated start of the Muslim holiday Eid, just hours after the breakdown of an earlier truce.
The Palestinian militant group had not accepted the extension of the ceasefire, originally agreed on Saturday to allow Gazans to receive essential supplies and recover the bodies of those killed. The Israeli military, which resumed fighting this morning because of what it said was "Hamas's incessant rocket fire" over the previous truce period, is yet to confirm whether or not it will accept a new pause in the conflict.
At a meeting of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, it was agreed that the tank and artillery bombardment would be paused while soldiers continued to track down and destroy tunnels dug under the Israel-Gaza border. A Hamas spokesperson said it would stop fighting from 2pm (12pm BST) on Sunday. The three-day Eid al-Fitr holiday, capping the holy month of Ramadan, was expected to begin on Monday or Tuesday depending on the sighting of the new moon.
But Hamas said it would continue fighting as long as Israeli troops remained in Gaza and its borders remained blockaded. Sami Abu Zuhri said the group was offering a humanitarian truce "in response to UN intervention and considering the situation of our people and the occasion of Eid".
Even before the military announced that it had given up on the extended truce this morning, booming explosions across Gaza sent thick black smoke rising into the sky. Earlier, Hamas seemed to have rejected Israel's own ceasefire offer and continued firing rockets, leading Israel to resume its military offensive.
This afternoon Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, a spokesperson for the Israeli army, did not say if Israel would hold its fire during the time requested by Hamas, but said troops would continue demolishing Hamas military tunnels.
Even before the military announced that it had given up on the earlier extended truce this morning, booming explosions across Gaza sent thick black smoke rising into the sky.
A statement came later, saying: “Following Hamas' incessant rocket fire throughout the humanitarian window, which was agreed upon for the welfare of the civilian population in Gaza, the (army) will now resume its aerial, naval and ground activity in the Gaza Strip.”A statement came later, saying: “Following Hamas' incessant rocket fire throughout the humanitarian window, which was agreed upon for the welfare of the civilian population in Gaza, the (army) will now resume its aerial, naval and ground activity in the Gaza Strip.”
Palestinian witnesses said that the resumption of heavy shelling east of Gaza City saw at least three deaths across separate strikes.Palestinian witnesses said that the resumption of heavy shelling east of Gaza City saw at least three deaths across separate strikes.
The 20-day Israeli operation had already seen more than 1,050 Palestinians killed, the majority civilians, while 43 soldiers and three civilians have died on the Israeli side.The 20-day Israeli operation had already seen more than 1,050 Palestinians killed, the majority civilians, while 43 soldiers and three civilians have died on the Israeli side.
Mr Netanyahu was due to convene his cabinet later on Sunday to decide how to move forward, and at least one senior minister said Israel must step up its offensive.Mr Netanyahu was due to convene his cabinet later on Sunday to decide how to move forward, and at least one senior minister said Israel must step up its offensive.
“After what we saw this morning, it is clear we need to resume fighting with even greater force,” Communications Minister Gilad Erdan told Army Radio.“After what we saw this morning, it is clear we need to resume fighting with even greater force,” Communications Minister Gilad Erdan told Army Radio.
Despite raised hopes towards the end of last week, there appeared to have been little progress from diplomats’ international efforts to secure an end to the conflict.Despite raised hopes towards the end of last week, there appeared to have been little progress from diplomats’ international efforts to secure an end to the conflict.
John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, flew back to Washington overnight after meeting in Paris with foreign ministers of France, Italy, Britain, Germany, Turkey and Qatar.John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, flew back to Washington overnight after meeting in Paris with foreign ministers of France, Italy, Britain, Germany, Turkey and Qatar.
During the lull in fighting inside Gaza on Saturday, residents flooded into the streets to discover scenes of massive destruction in some areas, including Beit Hanoun in the north and Shujaiya in the east.During the lull in fighting inside Gaza on Saturday, residents flooded into the streets to discover scenes of massive destruction in some areas, including Beit Hanoun in the north and Shujaiya in the east.
Israel hopes that the images of widespread desolation that have since emerged will persuade Gazans to put pressure on Hamas to stop the fighting for fear of yet more devastation.Israel hopes that the images of widespread desolation that have since emerged will persuade Gazans to put pressure on Hamas to stop the fighting for fear of yet more devastation.