Truce brief and fragile

A five-hour ceasefire requested by the United Nations largely held on Thursday before degenerating mid-afternoon into fresh clashes.

Security officials said Hamas fired 10 rockets at Israel after the end of the temporary truce, while Israel launched two airstrikes at the Gaza Strip

A Gaza health ministry spokesman said one strike killed two boys and a girl aged 8 to 10 in Gaza City. Medics at Gaza's al-Wafa hospital said it had been shelled by Israeli tanks, injuring several people.

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Washington had urged Israel to do more to protest civilians caught in crossfire.

Both sides reject truce claims

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liebermann described reports of a lasting truce to begin Friday as being "far from reflecting the truth."

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri also said such reports were "untrue," adding that "discussions continue."

Complication mediation by Egypt

Mediation in Cairo led by Egypt's government under its new president and ex-general Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi was reportedly not only between Israel and Hamas, but also between Hamas and the West Bank-based Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas.

During the Thursday's truce, Gaza residents rushed out to buy food, water and medicines. Queues formed at automatic teller machines. Some also checked homes destroyed during Israeli raids.

"We hope Egypt brings a good truce, we hope the killing will stop and [Gaza's border] crossings will open," said Gaza resident Zakaria Ahmed.

In Ashkelon during the lull Israeli residents went walking. Youngster Netanel Moshe Popesmedo told Channel 10 television that he hoped to "have some fun now during the summer break."

Israelis have sheltered in bunkers as sirens sounded over the past 10 days.

Brief truce fragile

Israel's military said Thursday's brief truce was marred by one rocket that fell in a town near Tel Aviv. Another was intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system.

Moments before the truce began, Israeli tank fire killed three people in southern Gaza, according to Palestinian medics.

UN agency condemns arms find

The UN agency which assists Palestinian refugees crowded in Gaza's confined area, the UNRWA, condemned the finding of 20 rockets hidden in one of its vacant schools as a "flagrant violation" of international law.

The UNRWA said it "strongly condemns the group or groups responsible" and warned that depositing arms "endangered civilians including staff and put at risk UNRWA's vital mission."

Gaza militants have fired hundreds of rockets since the violence began last week. Over the ten days, Israel launched punishing air strikes on Gaza that killed at least 230 people and forced thousands to flee.

One Israeli has been killed during the conflagration.

Counter demands

For a ceasefire to take effect, Hamas has listed demands, including the lifting of Israel's eight-year blockade of the Gaza Strip.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas' attacks had left Israel with "no choice but to expand and intensify the campaign against it."

ipj/dr (AFP, dpa, Reuters)