Rocket sirens 'false alarm', Israeli army

Israeli police earlier said that a rocket had struck an open area in Eshkol in southern Israel, but later released a statement confirming that it was a false alarm. Palestinian factions and Israel began a new five-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Thursday as part of efforts aimed at striking a permanent truce deal in the small, Mediterranean enclave. Palestinian factions have linked any permanent ceasefire deal to concessions by Israel, including the lifting of a years-long blockade on the Gaza Strip and allowing the establishment of a seaport, among others. At least 1951 Palestinians – mostly civilians – have been killed and more than 10,000 injured in Israeli attacks since July 7. Within the same period, at least 64 Israeli soldiers have been killed in battles with Palestinian fighters inside Gaza, while three civilians have been killed by Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.