JERUSALEM
Fifty-one rockets have been fired at Israel since the expiry of a 72-hour truce between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip on Friday morning, a spokesman for the Israeli military said.
Thirty-two rockets from Gaza have fallen in open areas in Israel, while 12 have landed prematurely within the Gaza Strip, Avichay Adraee said on Twitter, without stating the fate of the remaining rockets.
The Israeli army had said earlier that the Iron-Dome anti-missile defense system has intercepted a number of rockets and that one rocket fell on a house in the southern Sderot town.
Israel had also announced that one Israeli soldier and one civilian have been injured in the southern Negev region by Palestinian rocket fire from the embattled Gaza Strip.
Violence flared again on Friday following the end of the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and the Gaza-based factions as indirect talks mediated by Cairo are yet to yield any agreement on a long-term truce.
At least 1894 Palestinians have been killed and more than 9817 injured in relentless Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since July 7, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Israel also confirmed that 64 soldiers have been killed in battles with Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip and three civilians by rocket fire during the same period.
Palestinian factions have linked the extension of the ceasefire to Israel's approval of their demands, including lifting a years-long blockade on the Gaza Strip and the creation of a seaport.
The Gaza Strip, home to 1.8 million Palestinians, has been reeling under a crippling Israeli blockade since 2006, badly affecting the livelihood in the seaside enclave.
By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout
www.aa.com.tr/en
