The Israeli military has resumed combat against Hamas in Gaza, the military announced, saying Hamas had violated the truce and fired towards Israeli territory, Reuters has snapped.
The deadline for the extension of the seven-day ceasefire expired a short while ago, at 7am (0500 GMT) on Friday.
Shortly after the Israeli military’s announcement, Palestinian media reported that Israeli strikes had occurred in northern Gaza.
In the hour before the truce was set to end, Israel said it intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza.
Further sirens warning of rockets sounded again in Israeli areas near Gaza just minutes before the deadline, the Israeli military said.
There was no immediate comment from Hamas or claim of responsibility for the launches.
Qatar and Egypt have been making intensive efforts to extend the truce following the exchange on Thursday of the latest batch of eight hostages and 30 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli airstrikes have hit southern Gaza, including the community of Abassan east of the city of Khan Younis, the Hamas-run territory’s interior ministry said.
Another strike hit a home north-west of Gaza City, it said.
The strikes came as the Israeli military said its fighter jets hit Hamas targets in Gaza as the war resumed in full force after the weeklong truce expired, Associated Press reports.
Loud, continuous explosions were heard coming from Gaza and black smoke billowed from the territory on Friday morning.
In Israel, sirens blared at three communal farms near Gaza, warning of incoming rocket fire, suggesting Hamas had also resumed its attacks.
The Israeli military’s announcement of the strikes came just 30 minutes after the ceasefire expired at 7am (0500 GMT) on Friday.
Earlier Friday, Israel accused Hamas of having violated the terms of the ceasefire.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Hamas did not agree to release further hostages, infringing on the terms of the truce, and that Israel remained committed to achieving its objectives as fighting resumed.
Netanyahu’s office said on Friday that Hamas did not release all women captives as agreed and also launched rockets at Israel, Reuters reports.
