BICOM

The ceasefire talks in Cairo between Israeli and Palestinian delegations effectively came to an end yesterday after rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

The talks had been ongoing for more than a week and although there was little sign of agreement over a long-term Gaza truce, it had been suggested in the Israeli media yesterday that a “narrow” accord was in the works under which Israel would relax some restrictions in return for quiet. However, the suggestion of quiet was shattered yesterday afternoon, when three rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at the southern Israeli city of Beer Sheva, around eight hours before a truce was set to expire.

In response, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled Israel’s negotiating team from Cairo and ordered the IDF to strike strategic targets in Gaza. Netanyahu’s spokesman Mark Regev commented, “The Cairo process was built on a total and complete cessation of all hostilities and so when rockets were fired from Gaza, not only was it a clear violation of the ceasefire but it also destroyed the premise upon which the talks were based.”

From around 4pm until midnight, around 50 rockets were fired at Israel, with loud explosions heard in the Tel Aviv region, while warning sirens sounded in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Beer Sheva, Ashdod and Ashkelon, where a rocket landed near a shopping centre. No injuries or damage was reported. The Home Front Command instructed public bomb shelters to be opened within a 50-mile radius of the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s air force subsequently struck more than 30 sites in Gaza over the course of several hours. Hamas claimed that one of the strikes targeted its top military leader, Mohammed Deif, killing his wife and child.

Meanwhile, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf condemned the “renewed rocket fire” from Gaza, saying it was responsible for the ceasefire breakdown. Harf also emphasised Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza.