BICOM

As delegations in Cairo negotiated a five-day extension to the truce between Israel and Hamas, rockets from the Gaza Strip were fired into Israel.

With a midnight deadline to an existing truce beckoning, a rocket from Gaza landed in an open area in Shar Hanegev at around 9 pm. An hour and a half later, two further rockets were fired, hitting the Eshkol region, while the Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted an additional missile. No injuries were reported in either incident. However, the rocket fire prompted missile warning sirens to be sounded across southern Israel, sending residents hurrying for cover.

Shortly after Israel and Hamas agreed to extend the existing truce for a further five days, two additional rockets were fired from Gaza at the Eshkol region. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that he “denies there was any rocket fire at the occupation this evening.” However, the Fatah-affiliated al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for at least some of the rockets launched.

In response, the IDF struck rocket launchers, weapons facilities and other strategic targets. An army statement said, “The IDF has been prepared for this possibility, and is determined to continue to maintain the security of the citizens of the State of Israel.” It was also reported yesterday that the IDF had increased its presence near the Gaza border in anticipation of any renewed military activity. The IDF said that it “maintains a high level of preparedness with both defensive capabilities, and striking capabilities in order to address … renewed aggression and will immediately respond to any threat to Israel.”

Meanwhile, in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya yesterday, an Italian journalist, three Palestinian bomb disposal experts and two other people were killed when unexploded munitions blew up as attempts were made to defuse the ordinance.