Terrorists in Gaza violated the ceasefire and fired three rockets that exploded in open areas near Beersheba and Netivot. Beersheva is Israel’s fourth largest city. There were also unconfirmed reports of explosions near Ashdod and Ashkelon. No damage or injuries have been reported.
The rocket attack came only hours after a Hamas official accused Israel of “deliberately stalling” the negotiations being mediated in Cairo by Egypt.
The ceasefire between Israel and terrorist groups in Gaza led by Hamas had been extended to midnight on Tuesday, Israel time. The attack came roughly eight hours before the deadline is set to expire.
Today's rocket attack on Be'er Sheva is a grave and direct violation of the ceasefire to which Hamas committed itself.
— David Keyes (@DavidKeyesPMO) August 19, 2014
The Times of Israel reported that in response to the rocket fire Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu withdrew his envoys from the ceasefire talks in Cairo. The Times also reports that the IDF has started targeting terror sites in Gaza.
It is the eleventh ceasefire that Hamas has either rejected or violated during Operation Protective Edge.
[Photo: Giorgio Montersino / WikiCommons ]