Itongadol.- Three rockets fired from the Gaza Strip landed in open areas near Beersheba on Tuesday, violating a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and prompting an IDF response.
No injuries or damage were reported in the attacks. The attacks were not preceded by rocket alert sirens and the Iron Dome rocket defense system did not attempt to intercept the rockets.
The attacks came despite a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that was extended on Monday night and was not scheduled to expire until midnight.
Diplomatic sources said that in light of the rockets fired on the South and the violation of the cease-fire, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya\’alon instructed the IDF to resume its attacks on terror targets inside the Gaza Strip.
The IDF said that is was responding to the rockets with strikes on Gaza and was prepared for the possibility of renewed hostilities.
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resumed indirect cease-fire talks in Cairo on Tuesday after the sides agreed to extend the temporary truce in Gaza for an additional 24 hours until Tuesday at midnight.
Hamas accused Israel of holding up an agreement that would put an end to the violence long-term.
"Hamas is inclined to reach an agreement but unfortunately the Cairo negotiations are faltering because Israel is stalling," Abu Zuhri told Reuters. "We will not accept any agreement that does not secure the aspirations of our people."
Israel Radio quoted Kais Abdel Karim, a member of the Palestinian delegation to the talks as saying that the sides were mainly discussing Hamas\’s demands that Israel lift the blockade on Gaza and allow an airport and seaport in the Strip.
The sides were also discussing Israel\’s demand that Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other factions in Gaza be disarmed.
The PA\’s envoy to Cairo, Jamal Shobak said that Israel was offering to partially lift the blockade on Gaza , Israel Radio reported.
Sources in Jerusalem denied media reports that Israel had made an agreement with the United States about lifting the blockade on Gaza.