Bombing resumes in Gaza minutes after end of truce

Israel's war with Hamas resumed in full force on Friday, with airstrikes hitting targets in the Gaza Strip minutes after a weeklong truce expired. Black smoke billowed from the besieged territory, and Israel dropped leaflets over Gaza City and southern parts of the enclave, asking civilians to leave their homes to avoid the fighting.

In Israel, sirens warned of incoming rockets at several communal farms near Gaza, a sign that militants also restarted attacks. The renewed hostilities heightened concerns for Palestinians many of whom have been displaced by the war - as well as about 140 hostages still in Gaza, after more than 100 were freed during the truce.

Qatar, which has served as a mediator along with Egypt, said negotiators were still trying to restart the ceasefire.Its foreign ministry singled out Israel's role in the resumption of fighting and said it "complicates mediation efforts and exacerbates the humanitarian catastrophe".

Israel has informed several Arab states that it wants to carve out a buffer zone on the

Palestinian side of Gaza's border to prevent future attacks as part of proposals for the enclave after war ends, people familiar with the matter in Egypt and the region said, Reuters reported.

The initiative does not indicate an imminent end to Israel's offensive.