Israel denies it launched air strike

7/15/2014

Israeli soldiers begin their day beside their military vehicles near the Israel Gaza Border, early Tuesday, July 15, 2014. The Israeli Cabinet has accepted an Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire to end a week of conflict with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip that has killed 185 Palestinians and exposed millions of Israelis to Hamas rocket fire. No Israelis have been killed as a result of Hamas rocket launches. A senior Hamas official says the Palestinian militant group rejects an Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire with Israel. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Israeli military has denied it launched an air strike on Gaza following the mid-morning start of an Egyptian-proposed de-escalation period.

Hamas police spokesman Eyad Bouzam had reported an Israeli strike today on an apartment building in northern Gaza.

The de-escalation period is to lead to detailed cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas and end a week of fighting that has killed more than 190 Palestinians and exposed millions of Israelis to rocket fire from Gaza.

Hamas rejected the Egyptian plan, and Gaza militants fired at least 35 rockets at Israel by early afternoon today.

Israel accepted the truce plan, but said it would hit Gaza hard if Egypt rejects the deal.