Israel to extend Gaza truce for 24 hours

World Today

Mideast Israel PalestiniansA Palestinian man walks by buildings heavily damaged by Israeli strikes in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 26, 2014. (Photo: AP/Lefteris Pitarakis)

A government official says Israel’s Cabinet has decided to extend a humanitarian cease-fire for 24 hours, but that troops will respond to any fire from Gaza.

The official wrote in a text message that the truce would be extended until midnight (2100 GMT) Sunday. He requested anonymity because he was not authorized to brief journalists.

He says Israel also will continue to demolish Hamas military tunnels during the period of lull.

Earlier, Hamas had rejected a four-hour extension of Saturday’s initial 12-hour truce, and Gaza militants said they fired several dozen rockets at Israel.

There was no immediate Israeli retaliation for the rocket fire.

This story was compiled using information from the Associated Press.