Hostilities have resumed in the Middle East as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has ended.

Fire and explosions are heard in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, according to media outlets close to the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. At the same time, the Israeli military announced it was resuming operations in Gaza, claiming that Hamas had violated the ceasefire and fired into Israeli territory.

The Israel Defence Forces announced that the Iron Dome air defence system intercepted a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, triggering air defence sirens in areas around the Palestinian enclave.

The successful interception of the rocket came roughly an hour before the expiration of the ceasefire agreement signed on November 24. There has been no reaction from Hamas so far, no claim of responsibility.

According to Israel’s state-run Kan TV network, it is the first time air defence sirens have been heard since the ceasefire came into effect. The Israeli Army reported for its part that it was the second, recalling that another rocket had launched shortly after hostilities ceased.

Neither the parties, nor Qatar, as mediator, announced an extension of the agreement. Typically the ceasefire ended at 07:00 (local and Greek time).

Earlier, a spokesman for the Israeli Army said its forces were ready to resume hostilities with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip at any time.

On Thursday morning, Hamas reported that Israeli authorities refused to receive the bodies of three hostages killed in an Israeli bombardment. According to reports, it is a mother, her 10-month-old baby and a 4-year-old boy.

Israeli Army spokesman Hagari countered that the deaths of the three hostages have not been confirmed and spoke of “psychological warfare” by Hamas.

Also read: Gaza | The Israel – Hamas ceasefire extended for two more days