A new, five-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was holding Thursday despite a brief overnight exchange of rockets and airstrikes.
The two sides agreed Wednesday to extend the halt in fighting for five days to give Egyptian-brokered negotiations a chance to bring about an agreement to end the conflict that has raged for more than a month.
However, Israel said it carried out airstrikes early Thursday on Palestinian militant targets in the Gaza Strip in response to Palestinian rocket fire. At least eight rockets were fired into Israel Wednesday night.
No casualties have been reported.
Extended cease-fire
Israeli military said the rocket attacks began two hours before a three-day cease-fire expired. An official of Hamas, which controls Gaza, said its forces had not staged any such attacks and accused Israel of violating the cease-fire.
Palestinian negotiator Azzam Ahmed said the extended cease-fire would begin at midnight Wednesday and continue until Monday.
Each side reportedly had agreed on measures to facilitate the movement of goods and people across the Gaza border, but they appeared to still be far apart on a Palestinian demand that an airport and seaport be allowed in the enclave and Israel's demand that Palestinian fighters disarm.
There was no comment from Israel.
Israel's security cabinet, which has determined the course of the Gaza conflict, was scheduled to meet later on Thursday to discuss the proposals being put forward by the Egyptians, Reuters reported.
Members of the Palestinian delegation said they would return to Cairo for more talks on Sunday, according to Reuters.
Israeli warning
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon earlier had told Israeli armed forces to be prepared for a possible resumption of hostilities.
He warned that he did not know if there would be a new cease-fire agreement and that Israeli forces would return fire and resume operations if shooting erupted.
During the five weeks of conflict more than 1,900 Palestinians were killed, mostly civilians, and some 9,000 others were wounded.
The Israeli death toll included 64 Israeli soldiers and three civilians.
Crisis in Gaza – Thursday, August 14
Some information for this report provided by Reuters.
