Gaza truce extension called off by Reuters
Talks at Ending War Continue
TEL AVIV – INTERNATIONAL NEWS – The humanitarian truce in Gaza ended as Israel unleashed a fierce bout of shelling in response to a militant rocket salvo. Plumes of black smoke were visible on the Gaza skyline on Sunday morning. At least three deaths were reported in separate strikes.
There are reports that talks are continuing to reach a longer peace settlement or ceasefire.
The Israeli military said in a statement its unilateral 24-hour truce was over. It accused Palestinian militants of incessant rocket fire throughout the break in hostilities intended for the welfare of Gaza’s civilians.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, rejected an extension of the original 12-hour truce on Saturday unless Israel withdrew its troops. The Israeli cabinet was due to meet on Sunday to decide how to move forward in the conflict which began almost three weeks ago.
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) state, “Since launching the ground phase of Operation Protective Edge, the IDF has found hundreds of weapons in the Gaza Strip. Hamas, the terrorist organization that rules Gaza, is known to keep munitions in homes, schools, mosques and hospitals. In many cases, IDF forces have found Hamas weapons caches in underground tunnels. Most of these tunnels reach into Israel’s territory, enabling terrorists to attack Israeli civilians and soldiers.”The Golani Brigade found automatic rifles, RPGs and ammunition hidden by Hamas in the city of Shuja’iya”.
FILES: DAILY MOTION / REUTERS
