Palestinian Rocket Fire Resumes as Truce Ends in Gaza | WPN World People News

Palestinian militants resumed firing rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip early Friday, as a three-day cease-fire officially expired.

The Israeli military said via Twitter that at least 10 rockets were launched after the truce ended at 8:00 a.m. local time.

It said one of the rockets was intercepted over the southern city of Ashkelon, while others hit open areas. No injuries or damage were reported.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, says it failed to reach a deal to extend the cease-fire during indirect talks with Israeli in Cairo.

The Islamist group says it will continue the negotiations, though the two sides do not appear close to an agreement.

Hamas says Israel has not agreed to any of its demands, which include lifting the blockade that has strangled the Gazan economy and kept Palestinians from leaving the coastal enclave.

Israel says it will not loosen the blockade until Hamas, which it views as a terrorist group, is disarmed.

The cease-fire had brought an end to four weeks of fighting that killed nearly 1,900 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and devastated large sections of Gaza.

Sixty-four Israeli soldiers and three civilians also were killed. Most of the Israeli casualties occurred during a ground invasion by Israeli troops to destroy Hamas' cross-border tunnels.

Israel pulled out all of its soldiers from Gaza, saying all known tunnels have been destroyed, but many troops remain massed on the border.

Source: Voice of America