The Egypt-sponsored peace talks between Israel and Hamas have fallen apart, with the current 72-hour ceasefire set to expire at midnight local time. Shortly after Hamas announced that the talks failed, but before the ceasefire itself ended, red alert sirens were heard throughout southern Israel.

Hamas official Ali Barake states negotiations failed; Sirens in Ashkelon…here we go again

— Matthew Levitt (@Levitt_Matt) August 13, 2014

Yesterday, Times of Israel reporter Avi Issacharoff explained why a deal was unlikely.

Reports over the last few hours in Israeli and Palestinian media about a breakthrough or an emerging draft agreement seem unduly optimistic. The Israeli proposals mentioned in these reports are not new; indeed they were around even before the war started. An agreement by Egypt, the PA, and Israel regarding the reopening of Rafah in the presence of PA forces was reached by the sides weeks ago.

The problems stem from Hamas’s more far-reaching demands. For Hamas, a deal to stop the war in return for an increase in the number of trucks bringing supplies through Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing, or an increase in the number of traders and business people allowed to cross in and out of Israel at Erez — “concessions” reportedly agreed to by the Israeli negotiators — would represent a humiliating surrender. (Israeli agreement to the transfer of salaries to Hamas clerks does not constitute a breakthrough either, because it is the PA that has prevented such payments, not the Israeli government.)

Hamas, having started a war that has brought widespread destruction to Gaza, is seeking terms to show it has accomplished something. But each time it starts launching rockets, it demonstrates why Israel is sticking by its demands that Hamas be disarmed.

Although only one rocket was confirmed to have been launched, red alerts were heard all over southern Israel.

(Map: Courtesy of The “Muqata”)

Hamas started launching rockets into Israel minutes after the previous ceasefire ended last Friday.

Two hours before the end of the ceasefire. Hamas can't wait. RT @AviMayer: Incoming rocket sirens are reportedly sounding in Ashkelon Israel

— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) August 13, 2014

Hamas is denying responsibility for the rockets launched into Israel, claiming that it came from other Gaza-based terror groups. There are indications that Hamas can control the rocket fire if it wants to.

[Photo: NDTV / YouTube ]