Israel-Gaza: Hamas official predicts ceasefire ‘within a day or two’

A senior official with the Hamas militant group that controls Gaza has said he expects a ceasefire with Israel “within a day or two”, as cross-border attacks continue.

But Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday he was “determined to carry on” until “calm and security are restored to Israeli citizens”.

More than 100 Israeli air strikes targeted Hamas infrastructure in the north of Gaza early on Thursday.

Hamas retaliated with rocket fire.

Fighting began in Gaza after weeks of rising Israeli-Palestinian tension in occupied East Jerusalem that culminated in clashes at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews. Hamas began firing rockets after warning Israel to withdraw from the site, triggering retaliatory air strikes.

At least 230 people, including more than 100 women and children, have been killed in Gaza so far, according to its Hamas-controlled health ministry. Israel has said at least 150 militants are among those killed in Gaza. Hamas does not give casualty figures for fighters.

In Israel 12 people, including two children, have been killed, its medical service says. Israel says some 4,000 rockets have been fired towards its territory by militants in Gaza.

Agencies