Israeli warplanes pounded targets in Gaza Saturday, a day after killing at least five Palestinians, and militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel after attempts to extend a three-day truce failed
The month-long conflict flared once again after mediators were not successful in extending a ceasefire that expired at 0500 GMT Friday as Palestinian militants shattered the quiet with pre-dawn rocket attacks.
But the United States said it still hoped that the situation could be retrieved and that a new ceasefire could be in place soon.
“Our hope is that the parties will agree to an extension of the ceasefire in the coming hours,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters.
Rocket fire on Israel stopped Friday at 1800 GMT, according to the Israeli army.
Five Palestinians were killed and at least 31 others wounded in Friday´s air strikes, said Ashraf al-Qudra, Gaza´s emergency services spokesman. Among the dead was a 10-year-old boy.
