JERUSALEM — Israel has resumed its Gaza offensive after a series of Palestinian rocket attacks.
The Israeli military said Sunday that following “Hamas’ incessant rocket fire” during the unilateral Israeli extension of a temporary humanitarian truce it would resume targeting Gaza militants.
Israel’s Cabinet had unilaterally decided to extend the truce for 24 hours, until midnight (2100 GMT) Sunday. Hamas, which has requested the lifting of an Israeli and Egyptian blockade on Gaza, among other demands, did not agree to extend the truce.
Palestinian militants launched a big rocket salvo at Israel early Sunday, endangering a unilateral cease-fire and opening the way for a possible expansion of the 20-day operation, which has already killed 1,047 Palestinians and 43 Israeli soldiers.
The Israeli military said seven rockets were fired at southern Israel early Sunday, after Israel accepted but Hamas militants rejected a 24-hour extension of a humanitarian cease-fire meant to remain into effect until midnight Sunday (2100 GMT).
Two of the rockets were downed by Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system and five fell in open areas, the military said. It underscores the success of a defense system that has limited fatalities on the Israeli side to only three despite the more than 2,400 rockets Hamas has launched toward Israel.
Also Sunday, the military announced the 43rd fatality of the campaign, which it says is aimed at neutralizing the rocket fire and destroying a sophisticated network of cross-border tunnels. Barak Refael Degorker, 27, died in fighting Saturday “in the vicinity” of the strip, it said. No other details were available.
A temporary lull in the fighting Saturday saw Palestinians return to neighborhoods reduced to rubble and allowed medics to collect close to 150 bodies, Palestinian health official Ashraf al-Kidra said.
The 20-day operation has already killed more than 1,000 Palestinians and 45 Israelis.
amas fighters to carry out attacks on Israeli territory.