Israeli army Friday resumed its air strikes on the war-ravaged Gaza Strip in response to Palestinian rockets fired after a three-day truce ended and talks brokered by Egypt on a new border deal for the blockaded coastal territory hit a deadlock.
An 8-year-old male child was killed after Israel bombarded Nour al-Mohammadi Mosque in the Gaza City neighborhood of Sheik Radwan and 15 people were injured, Palestinian medical sources said. It is unclear if the renewed fighting will derail the Egyptian talks, which seek to reach a sustainable cease-fire, or if Egyptian mediators can find a way to prevent further escalation.
Hamas officials said that even though they refused to extend the three-day cease-fire, they were willing to continue negotiations.
But, Israel said it would not conduct negotiations under fire and would protect its citizens by all means.
The four-week Israeli aggression on the Strip has so far left above 1,800 dead, most of whom are children and women, and more than 1,000 injured. About 64 Israelis were killed.