Netanyahu orders unilateral 24-hour truce extension amid rocket fire

Israel ordered the Gaza ceasefire extended unilaterally by another 24 hours up until Sunday night. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu gave the order Saturday night after Hamas resumed shooting rockets and mortars despite Israel's extension of the Saturday truce until midnight. DEBKAfile: Although Hamas and Israel rejected the 7-day ceasefire proposed by US Secretary John Kerry and UN Secretary, Netanyahu appears to be introducing it unilaterally in stages, in spite of Hamas’ rejection and aggression – possibly to get around the opposition in his security cabinet.

Since the three-day Muslim festival of Eid al Fitr starts Monday – the same day as a UN Security Council debate on the Gaza war – it is hard to foresee Israel resuming hostilities before next Thursday.