Latest report: Combat resumed in Gaza, situation uncertain

The situation regarding an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains uncertain, with reports that fighting may have begun again in Gaza. According to the BBC the Israeli military is saying that it has resumed combat operations as Hamas has violated the terms of the ceasefire. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that Egyptian officials said that Hamas and Israel had agreed to extend the ceasefire for another day. Neither Hamas nor Israel had commented on reports that the ceasefire had been extended by a day, according to Reuters. The current ceasefire officially expired on Friday morning at 06:00, but now Egyptian officials say it has been extended by a day. If this is true, it will last at least until Saturday morning – but this remains uncertain.
     On Thursday, a total of eight hostages were handed over from Hamas to the Red Cross and returned to Israel. Overnight Friday, the Israeli prison service announced that 30 Palestinian prisoners who have been held in Israeli prisons had been released./ritzau/