Three killed as Israel renews Gaza strikes

Three Palestinians were killed in shelling on Sunday as the Israeli military resumed its assault on Gaza after Hamas shunned an extended lull accepted by Israel, medics said.

Emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said two men were killed in shelling near the border in central Gaza, while a third was killed near Khan Yunis in the south.

Israel troops had largely held their fire since 0500 GMT Saturday when a 12-hour lull came into force, observed by both sides.

A subsequent extension accepted by Israel was rejected by Hamas which continued firing over the border, with one rocket killing a soldier. At 0700 GMT on Sunday, the army announced it was resuming its military operations in Gaza launched on July 8 that has cost more than 1,000 Palestinian lives.