GAZA CITY
JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli army announced Thursday that three mortar shells had been fired from the Gaza Strip into its territory after the start of a U.N.-proposed five-hour truce in the morning.
"Hamas terrorists fired 3 mortars that hit the Israeli community of Eshkol minutes ago," the army said on its Twitter account.
Rocket sirens wailed in the area earlier in the day, according to Israeli Yediot Ahronot newspaper.
On Wednesday, the Israeli army said it would suspend military operations in Gaza for five hours starting 7am GMT Thursday to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Moments before the humanitarian pause came into effect, Israeli warplanes pounded the blockaded costal enclave, killing three people and wounding four others.
The Israeli army also announced thwarting an attempt by fighters from Gaza to infiltrate southern Israel through an underground tunnel.
Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, has claimed responsibility for the infiltration.
"All members returned safely," it said in a statement.
Israeli warplanes have been pounding the Gaza Strip since July 7 with the stated aim of halting rocket fire from the besieged coastal enclave.
At least 230 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed so far – and more than 1700 injured, many seriously – in the unrelenting Israeli strikes.
Gaza-based resistance factions, meanwhile, have continued to fire rockets at Israel – some of which have reached Tel Aviv – in response to the deadly air offensive.
One Israeli has been killed as a result of rocket fire from Gaza.
Just before humanitarian truce, Israeli strike kills 3 Gazans
Just moments before a five-hour ceasefire comes into effect, Israeli warplanes pounded the Gaza Strip, killing three Palestinians and wounding four others.
Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qodra told Anadolu Agency that an Israeli raid on Rafah town, southern Gaza Strip, has left three Palestinians dead and four others wounded.
The airstrike came just moments before the U.N.-proposed five-hour ceasefire come into effect at 7am GMT with the aim of allowing the entry of humanitarian aid to the residents of the embattled strip
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