28 mar 2014
A member of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, died on Friday morning in accidental circumstances, in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Medical and local sources told PIC's correspondent that Hamza Abu Eid, one of the Qassam Brigades fighters, was killed by accident as he was cleaning his weapon.
The Qassam brigades mourned the martyr, and called on the masses to participate in his funeral.
The Qassam brigades mourned the martyr, and called on the masses to participate in his funeral.
24 mar 2014
Palestinian minister of interior affairs Fathi Hammad said that his ministry supports the back of the Palestinian resistance factions through protecting and strengthening the internal front in times of war and calm. In an interview conducted by Al-Aqsa satellite channel on Sunday, minister Hammad stressed that his ministry works day and night on maintaining the internal front cohesive and strong, especially through combating espionage activities.
The minister also hailed the Palestinians in Gaza for their steadfastness in the face of Israel's aggression and blockade, and appealed to all Arab besieging parties to support Gaza and its resistance.
"The siege will end, God willing. There are people who have forsaken the Palestinian people, but God is with us and we are a nation that loves martyrdom for the sake of God and does not give up its constants," Hammad underlined.
He also criticized the Palestinian Authority security apparatuses' cooperation with the Israeli occupation in the West Bank and described its role as "shameful".
The minister also hailed the Palestinians in Gaza for their steadfastness in the face of Israel's aggression and blockade, and appealed to all Arab besieging parties to support Gaza and its resistance.
"The siege will end, God willing. There are people who have forsaken the Palestinian people, but God is with us and we are a nation that loves martyrdom for the sake of God and does not give up its constants," Hammad underlined.
He also criticized the Palestinian Authority security apparatuses' cooperation with the Israeli occupation in the West Bank and described its role as "shameful".
23 mar 2014
The Hebrew media said that thousands of Israelis, including officials and journalists, received threat text messages on their cellphones from Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas. According to Maariv newspaper, some of these text messages read, "Hamas chose you to be the next Gilad Shalit," "Hamas vowed to avenge and there would be vengeance," and "In the next war, all Palestine will be restored and Al-Qassam rockets are there waiting for you, but if you want to survive, you have to leave our land."
The newspaper added that Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas was able to infiltrate an Israeli website and send text messages to thousands of cellphone numbers, in addition to emails to some journalists who deal with the Israeli army.
In another incident, Al-Qassam Brigades disclosed on Saturday a video recording showing Israeli war minister Moshe Ya'alon in the range of Al-Qassam sniper fire as he was visiting a border area near the Gaza Strip.
Political analysts described these incidents as part of the psychological warfare being waged by Al-Qassam Brigades against the Israeli occupation.
Hamas sends Israelis threatening text messages
The military wing of Hamas sent threatening text messages to Israelis on Saturday, 10 years after the Palestinian Islamist movement's spiritual leader was killed in an Israeli air strike.
Israelis, as well as foreign reporters in Israel, received messages reading: "If Gaza will be attacked the life of the Zionists will be hell" and "In the next war all the Land of Palestine will return."
A Hamas source told AFP it was the work of the group's military wing Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the killing of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
"Al Qassam has chosen you to be the next Shalit," another message read, referring to Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was abducted and held in Gaza for five years until Hamas freed him in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The messages were sent from different cell phones. The owner of the only one who answered an AFP call was an Israeli man who said his line had been hijacked.
The email account of an Israeli security-oriented newsletter, IsraelDefence, was also hacked and an email posted on Yassin's killing.
"We don’t forget the blood of our sheik, We swear again to take revenge, and this time by taking off the head of your leaders," read an email.
"Zionist killed our sheik by missile and now our missile can hit every corner of Zionist state," it read, signing off as "Sheikh Yassin's Followers."
Ahmed Yassin, who was founder and spiritual leader of Hamas, was assassinated in an Israeli air strike in 2004.
An Israeli police spokeswoman said she was unaware of the hacking incidents and that no complaint had been filed.
Israeli news website Ynet said Hamas had sent similar messages during past conflicts with Israel.
The Israeli military frequently sends threatening mass text messages to residents of the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas.
These messages are sent most often during periods of conflict.
The newspaper added that Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas was able to infiltrate an Israeli website and send text messages to thousands of cellphone numbers, in addition to emails to some journalists who deal with the Israeli army.
In another incident, Al-Qassam Brigades disclosed on Saturday a video recording showing Israeli war minister Moshe Ya'alon in the range of Al-Qassam sniper fire as he was visiting a border area near the Gaza Strip.
Political analysts described these incidents as part of the psychological warfare being waged by Al-Qassam Brigades against the Israeli occupation.
Hamas sends Israelis threatening text messages
The military wing of Hamas sent threatening text messages to Israelis on Saturday, 10 years after the Palestinian Islamist movement's spiritual leader was killed in an Israeli air strike.
Israelis, as well as foreign reporters in Israel, received messages reading: "If Gaza will be attacked the life of the Zionists will be hell" and "In the next war all the Land of Palestine will return."
A Hamas source told AFP it was the work of the group's military wing Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the killing of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
"Al Qassam has chosen you to be the next Shalit," another message read, referring to Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was abducted and held in Gaza for five years until Hamas freed him in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The messages were sent from different cell phones. The owner of the only one who answered an AFP call was an Israeli man who said his line had been hijacked.
The email account of an Israeli security-oriented newsletter, IsraelDefence, was also hacked and an email posted on Yassin's killing.
"We don’t forget the blood of our sheik, We swear again to take revenge, and this time by taking off the head of your leaders," read an email.
"Zionist killed our sheik by missile and now our missile can hit every corner of Zionist state," it read, signing off as "Sheikh Yassin's Followers."
Ahmed Yassin, who was founder and spiritual leader of Hamas, was assassinated in an Israeli air strike in 2004.
An Israeli police spokeswoman said she was unaware of the hacking incidents and that no complaint had been filed.
Israeli news website Ynet said Hamas had sent similar messages during past conflicts with Israel.
The Israeli military frequently sends threatening mass text messages to residents of the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas.
These messages are sent most often during periods of conflict.
22 mar 2014
A general strike was announced at dawn Saturday in Jenin following the assassination of three Palestinians by Israeli gunfire in the city. National and Islamic forces declared general strike in Jenin in mourning of Hamza Abul Haija, Mahmud Abu Zena, and Yazan Jabarin.
The national forces called for mass participation in the martyrs' funeral on Saturday afternoon in the Jenin refugee camp.
Thousands of Palestinians marched Saturday afternoon in the funeral of the three martyrs who were killed during an armed clash with Israeli special units in Jenin refugee camp, north of the occupied West Bank, at dawn.
The mourners called for activating resistance to respond to Israeli escalated crimes and for halting PA security coordination with Israeli forces.
Hassan Yousef, leader in Hamas movement, stated that the mass participation of thousands of citizens in the funeral reflects Palestinian people's adherence to their rights and constants and to the resistance option.
He called on the PA to stop the negotiation process that only serves the occupation as it provides a cover for its crimes and deepens Palestinian people's plight.
In spite of talks' resumption, settlement construction has doubled in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, Yousef pointed out, stressing Palestinian resistance's determination to liberate all Palestinian territories.
Three Palestinians were killed in Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank early on Saturday by Israeli gunfire. Seven Palestinians were also wounded, including one in a very critical condition.
In a joint statement, al-Qassam Brigades, al-Quds Brigades and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades stressed that Palestinian resistance will be reactivated in occupied West Bank to respond to Israeli continued crimes.
The statement held Palestinian and Israeli Authorities responsible over the assassination crime in Jenin.
The resistance factions held the PA security services responsible for the crime along with the occupation as the martyrs were persecuted by PA forces for a long time.
The national forces called for mass participation in the martyrs' funeral on Saturday afternoon in the Jenin refugee camp.
Thousands of Palestinians marched Saturday afternoon in the funeral of the three martyrs who were killed during an armed clash with Israeli special units in Jenin refugee camp, north of the occupied West Bank, at dawn.
The mourners called for activating resistance to respond to Israeli escalated crimes and for halting PA security coordination with Israeli forces.
Hassan Yousef, leader in Hamas movement, stated that the mass participation of thousands of citizens in the funeral reflects Palestinian people's adherence to their rights and constants and to the resistance option.
He called on the PA to stop the negotiation process that only serves the occupation as it provides a cover for its crimes and deepens Palestinian people's plight.
In spite of talks' resumption, settlement construction has doubled in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, Yousef pointed out, stressing Palestinian resistance's determination to liberate all Palestinian territories.
Three Palestinians were killed in Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank early on Saturday by Israeli gunfire. Seven Palestinians were also wounded, including one in a very critical condition.
In a joint statement, al-Qassam Brigades, al-Quds Brigades and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades stressed that Palestinian resistance will be reactivated in occupied West Bank to respond to Israeli continued crimes.
The statement held Palestinian and Israeli Authorities responsible over the assassination crime in Jenin.
The resistance factions held the PA security services responsible for the crime along with the occupation as the martyrs were persecuted by PA forces for a long time.
Three Palestinian militant groups on Saturday vowed to retaliate against Israel after its army killed three militants in Jenin refugee camp overnight.
In a joint statement, Hamas' military wing al-Qassam Brigades, Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, and Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades threatened a "painful" retaliation against Israel.
The statement also accused the Palestinian Authority of complicity in the killings.
Three Palestinian militants were killed and several others were injured early Saturday during clashes with Israeli troops who raided Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, Palestinian security sources said.
The three were identified as Hamza Abu al-Haija, a 22-year-old leader of al-Qassam Brigades, Mahmoud Abu Zeina, a 17-year-old member of al-Quds Brigades, and 22-year-old Yazan Mahmoud Basim Jabarin of al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.
An earlier Hamas statement said that PA security services had summoned and detained al-Haija several times before.
A spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas denounced the killings, describing them as part of "systematic Israeli policy aimed at destroying everything."
Nabil Abu Rdeina said that Israel escalated its "attacks against citizens." He urged the US administration to take action before peace talks collapsed.
In a joint statement, Hamas' military wing al-Qassam Brigades, Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, and Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades threatened a "painful" retaliation against Israel.
The statement also accused the Palestinian Authority of complicity in the killings.
Three Palestinian militants were killed and several others were injured early Saturday during clashes with Israeli troops who raided Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, Palestinian security sources said.
The three were identified as Hamza Abu al-Haija, a 22-year-old leader of al-Qassam Brigades, Mahmoud Abu Zeina, a 17-year-old member of al-Quds Brigades, and 22-year-old Yazan Mahmoud Basim Jabarin of al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.
An earlier Hamas statement said that PA security services had summoned and detained al-Haija several times before.
A spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas denounced the killings, describing them as part of "systematic Israeli policy aimed at destroying everything."
Nabil Abu Rdeina said that Israel escalated its "attacks against citizens." He urged the US administration to take action before peace talks collapsed.
21 mar 2014
A member of the armed wing of Hamas was killed in "internal explosion" east of Gaza City on Friday, medical sources said.
Spokesperson for the Gaza Strip Ministry of Health Ashraf al-Qidra told Ma'an that Ibrahim Rifati, 22, arrived dead to the Shifa Hospital after an explosion in the neighborhood of Tuffah.
Al-Qassam Brigades that Rifati was killed in an "accidental explosion" while carrying out a "jihadist mission" in the corps of engineers.
Spokesperson for the Gaza Strip Ministry of Health Ashraf al-Qidra told Ma'an that Ibrahim Rifati, 22, arrived dead to the Shifa Hospital after an explosion in the neighborhood of Tuffah.
Al-Qassam Brigades that Rifati was killed in an "accidental explosion" while carrying out a "jihadist mission" in the corps of engineers.
14 mar 2014
The Israeli President Shimon Peres stressed that Tel Aviv is ready to commit to the truce reached with the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli radio reported, on Friday, that Peres said the Gaza Strip "will get fire for fire, and a ceasefire for a ceasefire.”
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to launch a major military operation in Gaza in the framework of "a firm response" to any Palestinian rocket that aims to disturb the celebrations of the Jewish Purim feast.
For his part, the Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he saw ''no alternative other than a complete takeover of the Gaza Strip'' and would oppose any more limited operation.
The Israeli Army Minister Moshe Yaalon had claimed that Hamas and the Islamic Jihad movements are responsible for the recent escalation in the Strip, and warned that the Israeli army would not hesitate to use all means against them.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to launch a major military operation in Gaza in the framework of "a firm response" to any Palestinian rocket that aims to disturb the celebrations of the Jewish Purim feast.
For his part, the Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he saw ''no alternative other than a complete takeover of the Gaza Strip'' and would oppose any more limited operation.
The Israeli Army Minister Moshe Yaalon had claimed that Hamas and the Islamic Jihad movements are responsible for the recent escalation in the Strip, and warned that the Israeli army would not hesitate to use all means against them.
Ramadan Shallah, secretary-general of the Islamic Jihad Movement, announced a new ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip on Thursday evening arranged by Egypt, saying that Hamas movement agreed to it.
We had signed a ceasefire agreement under Egyptian mediation, but we did not sign an instrument of surrender, he continued. We were patient with Israeli violations, but patience has limits.
He added that his movement and Hamas are partners in war and peace, noting that there is a general agreement on Palestinian factions' right of resistance.
We cannot remain silent before Israeli escalation and settlement construction, Shallah said.
Jihad movement's Secretary General said that there is a Palestinian consensus to respond on Israeli violations, stressing that Israeli enemy knows carefully the strength the Palestinian resistance.
Commenting on Hamas, Shallah said that it is on the top of the pyramid. We are in the same trench, and we share understandable relationship, according to him.
He said that no peace can be achieved with the Israelis, describing the situation in West Bank as a clinical death.
Shallah stated that Palestinian resistance is able to defend itself against the Israeli military aggression.
We had signed a ceasefire agreement under Egyptian mediation, but we did not sign an instrument of surrender, he continued. We were patient with Israeli violations, but patience has limits.
He added that his movement and Hamas are partners in war and peace, noting that there is a general agreement on Palestinian factions' right of resistance.
We cannot remain silent before Israeli escalation and settlement construction, Shallah said.
Jihad movement's Secretary General said that there is a Palestinian consensus to respond on Israeli violations, stressing that Israeli enemy knows carefully the strength the Palestinian resistance.
Commenting on Hamas, Shallah said that it is on the top of the pyramid. We are in the same trench, and we share understandable relationship, according to him.
He said that no peace can be achieved with the Israelis, describing the situation in West Bank as a clinical death.
Shallah stated that Palestinian resistance is able to defend itself against the Israeli military aggression.
A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed in southern Israel on Friday, Israel's army said.
"One rocket hit in the southern Shaar HaNegev regional council, making it a total of 60 since Wednesday," an Israeli army spokeswoman said.
There were no reports of damage or injuries, she added.
"One rocket hit in the southern Shaar HaNegev regional council, making it a total of 60 since Wednesday," an Israeli army spokeswoman said.
There were no reports of damage or injuries, she added.
A truce declared by Gaza militants appeared to be largely holding on Friday with the Israeli military reporting a single rocket fired after two days of tit-for-tat violence.
"Moments ago an additional rocket hit," an army statement said at 11:47 a.m.
A spokeswoman told AFP it was the first to strike Israel in more than 12 hours.
It was the sixth to hit since Islamic Jihad declared on Thursday that an Egyptian-brokered truce on the Israel-Gaza border had been restored after Israeli warplanes pounded the territory in response to a barrage of rocket fire by its militants.
The truce, which was to have taken effect at 1200 GMT on Thursday, was tested when the Israeli military reported further rocket fire from Gaza hours later and launched retaliatory air strikes for a second night.
"Israel Air Force aircraft targeted four terror sites in the southern Gaza Strip and three additional terror sites in the northern Gaza Strip," a military statement released around midnight said.
Witnesses and Palestinian security officials said the targets included facilities near Gaza City used by the military wing of Gaza's ruling Hamas movement.
Israeli aircraft also struck a base of the hardline Popular Resistance Committees in the southern town of Rafah.
The army said five rockets hit Israeli territory on Thursday evening. Another two were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defense system.
Three rockets had struck during the morning, before the announcement of the renewed truce.
On Wednesday, at least 60 rockets hit Israel and Israeli warplanes pounded Gaza in response, in the worst violence around the territory since an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November 2012.
Neither side reported any casualties.
The latest flare-up began on Tuesday when Islamic Jihad militants fired a mortar round at Israeli troops allegedly trying to enter southern Gaza, prompting a retaliatory air strike that killed three of them.
In revenge, Islamic Jihad's armed wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, launched a coordinated barrage of rockets at southern Israel on Wednesday that continued into the night, with the group putting the number at 130.
'Nothing has really ended'
Israel responded by hitting 29 targets across Gaza that night, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas bases. Another seven air strikes followed on Thursday morning with seven more around midnight.
Analysts said Israel was not interested in a major confrontation, but some predicted the next flare-up would only be a matter of time.
"A barrage of dozens of rockets and mortar shells is an irregular occurrence," wrote defence analyst Alex Fishman in Yediot Aharonot daily.
"What started as a campaign of revenge and deterrence evolved into a dangerous attempt by the leaders of Islamic Jihad to set a red line, meaning that every assassination of a terrorist operative will be met with fire from now on.
"This is a formula that could be put to the test very soon, perhaps even next week, and so nothing has really ended."
"Moments ago an additional rocket hit," an army statement said at 11:47 a.m.
A spokeswoman told AFP it was the first to strike Israel in more than 12 hours.
It was the sixth to hit since Islamic Jihad declared on Thursday that an Egyptian-brokered truce on the Israel-Gaza border had been restored after Israeli warplanes pounded the territory in response to a barrage of rocket fire by its militants.
The truce, which was to have taken effect at 1200 GMT on Thursday, was tested when the Israeli military reported further rocket fire from Gaza hours later and launched retaliatory air strikes for a second night.
"Israel Air Force aircraft targeted four terror sites in the southern Gaza Strip and three additional terror sites in the northern Gaza Strip," a military statement released around midnight said.
Witnesses and Palestinian security officials said the targets included facilities near Gaza City used by the military wing of Gaza's ruling Hamas movement.
Israeli aircraft also struck a base of the hardline Popular Resistance Committees in the southern town of Rafah.
The army said five rockets hit Israeli territory on Thursday evening. Another two were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defense system.
Three rockets had struck during the morning, before the announcement of the renewed truce.
On Wednesday, at least 60 rockets hit Israel and Israeli warplanes pounded Gaza in response, in the worst violence around the territory since an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November 2012.
Neither side reported any casualties.
The latest flare-up began on Tuesday when Islamic Jihad militants fired a mortar round at Israeli troops allegedly trying to enter southern Gaza, prompting a retaliatory air strike that killed three of them.
In revenge, Islamic Jihad's armed wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, launched a coordinated barrage of rockets at southern Israel on Wednesday that continued into the night, with the group putting the number at 130.
'Nothing has really ended'
Israel responded by hitting 29 targets across Gaza that night, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas bases. Another seven air strikes followed on Thursday morning with seven more around midnight.
Analysts said Israel was not interested in a major confrontation, but some predicted the next flare-up would only be a matter of time.
"A barrage of dozens of rockets and mortar shells is an irregular occurrence," wrote defence analyst Alex Fishman in Yediot Aharonot daily.
"What started as a campaign of revenge and deterrence evolved into a dangerous attempt by the leaders of Islamic Jihad to set a red line, meaning that every assassination of a terrorist operative will be met with fire from now on.
"This is a formula that could be put to the test very soon, perhaps even next week, and so nothing has really ended."
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri held on Thursday evening the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the recent escalation in the Gaza Strip, which started three days ago.
In a brief statement, Abu Zuhri confirmed that Israeli threats to his movement have no value, stressing that escalation is linked to Israeli commitment to the truce.
On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian resistance fighters affiliated to Al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad's armed wing, east of Rafah southern Gaza Strip.
Islamic Jihad Movement has earlier declared an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire with Israel, however Israeli military sources denied any agreement has been reached between the two parties under Egyptian mediation, according to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
Israeli war minister Moshe Ya'alon said Thursday that "quiet would be met with quiet", the newspaper quoted.
In a related context, spokesman for Hamas Fawzi Barhoum said that his movement does not trust any Israeli truce, stressing the resistance's readiness in case of Israeli provocations.
Barhoum added that his movement cannot prevent any Palestinian from defending his people and holy sites, stressing Palestinian factions' right of resistance.
If provocations continue, we cannot stand idle; he said holding the occupation full responsibility for the recent escalation.
Hamas aims to create a proper field management between Palestinian factions especially after Shale Stones' Battle in 2012, he continued, we do not trust any truce with the occupation.
He pointed out that contacts have been made between Egyptian Intelligence and Islamic Jihad; however, Israeli airstrikes have been renewed only an hour after.
In a brief statement, Abu Zuhri confirmed that Israeli threats to his movement have no value, stressing that escalation is linked to Israeli commitment to the truce.
On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian resistance fighters affiliated to Al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad's armed wing, east of Rafah southern Gaza Strip.
Islamic Jihad Movement has earlier declared an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire with Israel, however Israeli military sources denied any agreement has been reached between the two parties under Egyptian mediation, according to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
Israeli war minister Moshe Ya'alon said Thursday that "quiet would be met with quiet", the newspaper quoted.
In a related context, spokesman for Hamas Fawzi Barhoum said that his movement does not trust any Israeli truce, stressing the resistance's readiness in case of Israeli provocations.
Barhoum added that his movement cannot prevent any Palestinian from defending his people and holy sites, stressing Palestinian factions' right of resistance.
If provocations continue, we cannot stand idle; he said holding the occupation full responsibility for the recent escalation.
Hamas aims to create a proper field management between Palestinian factions especially after Shale Stones' Battle in 2012, he continued, we do not trust any truce with the occupation.
He pointed out that contacts have been made between Egyptian Intelligence and Islamic Jihad; however, Israeli airstrikes have been renewed only an hour after.
A truce declared by Gaza militants appeared to be holding on Friday with the Israeli military reporting no fresh rocket fire during the night after two days of tit-for-tat violence.
"It's all quiet, there has been no fire overnight," an army spokesman said at 8:00 a.m.
Islamic Jihad announced Thursday that an Egyptian-brokered truce on the Israel-Gaza border had been restored after Israeli warplanes pounded the territory in response to a barrage of rocket fire by its militants.
But the truce, which was to have taken effect at 12:00 GMT on Thursday, was tested when the Israeli military reported further rocket fire from Gaza hours later and launched retaliatory air strikes for a second night.
"Israel Air Force aircraft targeted four terror sites in the southern Gaza Strip and three additional terror sites in the northern Gaza Strip," a military statement released around midnight said.
Witnesses and Palestinian security officials said the targets included facilities near Gaza City used by the military wing of Hamas.
Israeli aircraft also struck a base of the hardline Popular Resistance Committees in the southern town of Rafah.
The army said five rockets hit Israeli territory during the evening. Another two were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defense system.
Three rockets had struck during the morning, before the announcement of the renewed truce.
On Wednesday, at least 60 rockets hit Israel and Israeli warplanes pounded Gaza in response, in the worst violence around the territory since an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November 2012.
Neither side reported any casualties.
Despite the tit-for-tat violence, experts said Israel was not interested in a major confrontation.
The flare-up began on Tuesday when Islamic Jihad militants fired a mortar round at Israeli troops allegedly trying to enter southern Gaza, prompting a retaliatory air strike that killed three of them.
On Wednesday, Islamic Jihad's armed wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, launched a coordinated barrage of rockets at southern Israel that continued into the night, with the group putting the number at 130.
Israel responded by hitting 29 targets across Gaza that night, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas.
"It's all quiet, there has been no fire overnight," an army spokesman said at 8:00 a.m.
Islamic Jihad announced Thursday that an Egyptian-brokered truce on the Israel-Gaza border had been restored after Israeli warplanes pounded the territory in response to a barrage of rocket fire by its militants.
But the truce, which was to have taken effect at 12:00 GMT on Thursday, was tested when the Israeli military reported further rocket fire from Gaza hours later and launched retaliatory air strikes for a second night.
"Israel Air Force aircraft targeted four terror sites in the southern Gaza Strip and three additional terror sites in the northern Gaza Strip," a military statement released around midnight said.
Witnesses and Palestinian security officials said the targets included facilities near Gaza City used by the military wing of Hamas.
Israeli aircraft also struck a base of the hardline Popular Resistance Committees in the southern town of Rafah.
The army said five rockets hit Israeli territory during the evening. Another two were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defense system.
Three rockets had struck during the morning, before the announcement of the renewed truce.
On Wednesday, at least 60 rockets hit Israel and Israeli warplanes pounded Gaza in response, in the worst violence around the territory since an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November 2012.
Neither side reported any casualties.
Despite the tit-for-tat violence, experts said Israel was not interested in a major confrontation.
The flare-up began on Tuesday when Islamic Jihad militants fired a mortar round at Israeli troops allegedly trying to enter southern Gaza, prompting a retaliatory air strike that killed three of them.
On Wednesday, Islamic Jihad's armed wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, launched a coordinated barrage of rockets at southern Israel that continued into the night, with the group putting the number at 130.
Israel responded by hitting 29 targets across Gaza that night, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas.
Sheikh Khaled al-Batsh, a senior political leader of the Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, has reported that Egyptian mediation efforts have managed to achieve a truce between the resistance in Gaza and Israel, based on the understandings reached following Israel’s war on Gaza in 2012.
Al-Batsh said that Palestinian armed resistance groups in Gaza will be committed to the truce as long as Israel respects it.
On his Facebook page, al-Batsh stated that his movement thanks Egypt for its efforts, and saluted all resistance groups, mainly the al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad.
Meanwhile, Israel’s TV Channel 10 quoted a senior Israeli official claiming that news about an Egyptian-mediated truce “are baseless.”
Israel’s online daily, Yedioth Ahronoth, quoted another military official saying “the Egyptians started mediation talks since the escalation started on Wednesday, in an attempt to reach an undeclared truce, but no official truce agreement was reached”.
He added that, despite declaring Hamas a terrorist group, Egyptian officials are still trying to prevent further escalation, and are holding direct talks with representatives of the Islamic Jihad.
Meanwhile, Israel said that, despite truce talks, Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza fired at least 16 shells into southern Israel.
Moshir al-Masry, a political leader of the Hamas movement, said that Egypt never contacted the movement regarding a truce understanding, and that his movement is interested in a ceasefire agreement, but added that “should Israel violate it, the resistance will strike back.”
“We do not want to drag our Palestinian people into any war; armed groups are only retaliating to Israeli shells; so far, Israel is not committed to any truce,” he said. “Israeli leaders are threatening Gaza, our relation with Egypt is fragile, and Egypt needs to reevaluate its stances.”
Mahmoud Zaher, a senior Egyptian military and strategic affairs expert, said that Egypt is willing to improve relations with Hamas, and welcome it, but that Hamas needs to act seriously towards improving these relations.
“Hamas needs to understand that our priority is Palestine and stopping Israel’s aggression,” he said, “Hamas needs to realize that Egypt was the first country that supported the Palestinian resistance.”
Ehab al-Ghaseen, spokesperson of the Hamas-run government in Gaza, stated Thursday that Palestinian armed resistance groups have the right to defend their people, and clearly understand that truce is a national interest.
Al-Ghaseen added that Israel is violating this fragile truce, and is responsible for any further escalation.
On Friday, at dawn, the Israeli Air Force bombarded several locations in the Gaza Strip, causing property damage, but no injuries.
On Thursday afternoon, at least three Palestinians were injured when the army bombarded a border tunnel in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. One woman in a nearby home was seriously wounded.
Al-Batsh said that Palestinian armed resistance groups in Gaza will be committed to the truce as long as Israel respects it.
On his Facebook page, al-Batsh stated that his movement thanks Egypt for its efforts, and saluted all resistance groups, mainly the al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad.
Meanwhile, Israel’s TV Channel 10 quoted a senior Israeli official claiming that news about an Egyptian-mediated truce “are baseless.”
Israel’s online daily, Yedioth Ahronoth, quoted another military official saying “the Egyptians started mediation talks since the escalation started on Wednesday, in an attempt to reach an undeclared truce, but no official truce agreement was reached”.
He added that, despite declaring Hamas a terrorist group, Egyptian officials are still trying to prevent further escalation, and are holding direct talks with representatives of the Islamic Jihad.
Meanwhile, Israel said that, despite truce talks, Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza fired at least 16 shells into southern Israel.
Moshir al-Masry, a political leader of the Hamas movement, said that Egypt never contacted the movement regarding a truce understanding, and that his movement is interested in a ceasefire agreement, but added that “should Israel violate it, the resistance will strike back.”
“We do not want to drag our Palestinian people into any war; armed groups are only retaliating to Israeli shells; so far, Israel is not committed to any truce,” he said. “Israeli leaders are threatening Gaza, our relation with Egypt is fragile, and Egypt needs to reevaluate its stances.”
Mahmoud Zaher, a senior Egyptian military and strategic affairs expert, said that Egypt is willing to improve relations with Hamas, and welcome it, but that Hamas needs to act seriously towards improving these relations.
“Hamas needs to understand that our priority is Palestine and stopping Israel’s aggression,” he said, “Hamas needs to realize that Egypt was the first country that supported the Palestinian resistance.”
Ehab al-Ghaseen, spokesperson of the Hamas-run government in Gaza, stated Thursday that Palestinian armed resistance groups have the right to defend their people, and clearly understand that truce is a national interest.
Al-Ghaseen added that Israel is violating this fragile truce, and is responsible for any further escalation.
On Friday, at dawn, the Israeli Air Force bombarded several locations in the Gaza Strip, causing property damage, but no injuries.
On Thursday afternoon, at least three Palestinians were injured when the army bombarded a border tunnel in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. One woman in a nearby home was seriously wounded.
