Israel, Hamas Holding Truce After 5-Day Extension | WPN World People News

A new, five-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was holding Thursday despite a brief overnight exchange of rockets and airstrikes.

Israel says it carried out air strikes on Palestinian militant targets in the Gaza Strip in response to Palestinian rocket fire. At least eight rockets were fired into Israel Wednesday night. No casualties have been reported.

A statement said the rocket attacks began two hours before a three-day ceasefire expired. An official of Hamas, which controls Gaza, said its forces had not staged any such attacks and accused Israel of violating the ceasefire.

Palestinian negotiator Azzam Ahmed said an agreement was reached in the final moments to extend the ceasefire for five more days. He added the ceasefire would begin at midnight Wednesday night and continue until Monday.

He said Palestinian and Israeli negotiators had agreed on some points but that some issues remained to be resolved. There was no comment from Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon earlier had told Israeli armed forces to be prepared for a possible resumption of hostilities.

He warned that he did not know if there would be a new ceasefire agreement and that Israeli forces would return fire and resume operations if shooting erupted.

During the five weeks of conflict more than 1,900 Palestinians were killed, mostly civilians, and some 9,000 others were wounded. 64 Israeli soldiers were killed along with three civilians.

Hamas says it would accept a truce if Israel ended its seven year-old blockade of Gaza. Israel says Gaza must be de-militarized.

Each side reportedly had agreed on measures to facilitate the movement of goods and people across the Gaza border, but they appeared to still be far apart on a Palestinian demand that an airport and seaport be allowed in the enclave and Israel's demand that Palestinian fighters disarm.

Source: Voice of America