Mortars 'hit Israel during truce' 

Palestinian militants have fired at least three mortars from Gaza at Israel during a humanitarian ceasefire, Israeli security forces say.

Hamas and Israel had agreed to halt fighting for five hours on Thursday to allow Gazans to stock up on supplies.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have so far not taken any action, and there has been no statement from Hamas.

Gazan officials say Israeli raids have left 227 Palestinians dead. Hamas rocket attacks have killed one Israeli.

"While the IDF holds its fire, three mortars fired from Gaza just hit the Eshkol regional council," the Israeli military said on Thursday, two hours after the ceasefire came into effect at 10:00 local time (07:00 GMT).

The military earlier had warned it would "respond immediately" if attacked during the truce.

Israel launched its military operation on 8 July with the stated objective of halting Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.

However, the United Nations says most of those killed in Gaza have been civilians.

Israel accuses Hamas of hiding its military infrastructure within the civilian population.

BBC