JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel observed a 12-hour humanitarian cease-fire and agreed to continue it for an additional 24 hours until Sunday evening.

The cease-fire, during which Gazan Palestinians were able to restock food and other necessities, lasted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Israel agreed to a further four-hour extension of the cease-fire until midnight and the Cabinet on Saturday also reportedly approved a further 24-hour extension of the humanitarian cease-fire. Both cease-fire extensions were rejected by Hamas.

Following the 8 p.m. end of the original cease-fire, rockets were fired at Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. Hamas took credit for the rocket fire

During the cease-fire, the Israel Defense Forces continued operational activities to locate and destroy tunnels in Gaza, the IDF said in a statement.

Meanwhile, left-wing activists protested in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square on Saturday evening, calling for an end to the operation in Gaza and for new peace negotiations with the Palestinians. A counter demonstration by right wing activists was held at the same site.

The demonstrations were broken up by police shortly after they began, when rockets again were fired at Tel Aviv at the end of the cease-fire.

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