Israel extends ceasefire in Gaza, Hamas rejects

JERUSALEM: Israel is extending a humanitarian ceasefire in its military campaign in Gaza for another 24 hours, to Sunday night, a government official said.

The Israeli cabinet agreed late Saturday to prolong its pause in fighting "until midnight (2100 GMT) Sunday" in line with a UN request, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Hamas rejected Israel´s decision to extend by 24 hours a pause in hostilities in Gaza, saying Israeli tanks first had to withdraw from the territory.

"No humanitarian ceasefire is valid without Israeli tanks withdrawing from the Gaza Strip and without residents being able to return to their homes and ambulances carrying bodies being able to freely move around in Gaza," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum said in a statement. (AFP)