Israel calls off ceasefire talks after Palestinian rocket fire towards Jerusalem

Israel has called off ceasefire talks after Palestinian fighters in the besieged Gaza Strip launched rockets towards Jerusalem on Friday.

Israel informed Egypt, which has been mediating in this week's deadly escalation, of its decision, according to Israeli media.

The rocket fire at Jerusalem – the first during the current fighting – was a "message", said the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group's armed wing, the Al-Quds Brigades.

"Jerusalem is in front of our eyes, and what is happening there is not separate from Gaza," the Al-Quds Brigades added.

It said there were "no red lines" in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

The current conflict in Gaza started on Tuesday when Israel launched deadly airstrikes against Gaza, killing 13 people including three PIJ commanders and at least four children.

Ceasefire stalks have stalled as Israel refuses to agree to stop targeted assassinations of Islamic Jihad commanders.

Stopping the assassinations is a non-negotiable condition for reaching a ceasefire, a prominent PIJ leader told The New Arab's Arabic sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Israel has killed at least 31 Palestinians, including women and children, in its current assault on Gaza. One person in Israel was killed by rocket fire from the enclave.

Sirens sounded on Friday in West Jerusalem. Palestinian rocket fire was also directed at Tel Aviv and occupied West Bank settlements, media reported.

Brief explosions could be heard in Jerusalem, possibly from Israeli missile defences intercepting the rockets.

The Israeli military did not immediately confirm any interceptions near Jerusalem. Local media reported Israeli air defences shot down two longer-range rockets.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed it in 1980, claiming the entire city as its capital. Most countries refuse to recognise the annexation.

Here's what the Palestinian ambassador to the UK @hzomlot had to say about the Israel forces' deadly escalation in Gaza that has so far killed 25 Palestinians ⬇

🎥: @Reemkhabbazy
✍: @NickGMcAlpi pic.twitter.com/pQAWgneX1B

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) May 12, 2023

Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip also came under renewed rocket fire on Friday. Shortly afterwards, Israel renewed airstrikes against the besieged Palestinian territory.

Reuters contributed to this report.