GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Two Hamas officials said the Islamic group would not extend a six-month truce with the Israelis as militants in the Gaza Strip fired rockets at southern Israel and Israel hit back with airstrikes Thursday.
Hamas said previously that the cease-fire ends today, but Israel maintained the unwritten truce did not have an expiration date. Violence has already resumed, although at a lower level than before the truce took effect.
On Thursday, Gaza militants fired 11 rockets and six mortar shells toward Israel. Israel’s military launched at least two airstrikes on rocket squads.
“There is no chance of extending the calm,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in Gaza. He blamed Israel for the breakdown.
In Lebanon, Hamas official Osama Hamdan told The Associated Press the truce would end today. It was not clear whether this was Hamas’ final word, however.
The group, which rules Gaza, has been issuing contradictory statements this week about extending the truce.
There was a chance the lull could be restored despite recent violence. Both sides appeared to be jockeying for position, trying to improve the terms of the truce, but a single attack by either side causing significant casualties could spark a larger conflict.
