Gaza truce extended

Israel bombed several Gaza sites early on Thursday, minutes after the new five-day truce extension was to have taken hold, in response to Hamas rocket fire.

Hamas, however, denied involvement in firing some of what Israel counted as multiple rockets shot just before the initial 72-hour truce expired Wednesday. There were no reported casualties on either side.

Palestinian officials announced the last-minute cease-fire extension late Wednesday giving Egyptian-led negotiations until early next week to forge a long-term truce.

Israel had no comment on the deal the Palestinians announced in Cairo.

Hamas is demanding an end to a blockade imposed by both Israel and Egypt in 2007, limiting the movement of people and goods in and out of the tiny coastal strip. Israel, which is wary of making any concession that Hamas could declare as a victory, says the restrictions are in place to prevent the smuggling of weapons and other materials deemed illicit.

hc/lw (Reuters, AFP, AP)