HOPES of a more extensive ceasefire between Israel and Gaza rose and fell today in the wake of a five-hour “humanitarian” break in hostilities.

As the brief interlude faded, Israel launched air strikes against the Gaza Strip, killing three children aged between eight and 10, while Hamas fired rockets towards Israel.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi held a meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas after Egyptian officials met Israeli and Hamas representatives separately in Cairo.

An anonymous Israeli official raised hopes of a new ceasefire to take effect this morning, but Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said: “We are not aware of this.”

During the humanitarian ceasefire Gaza residents rushed to restock supplies after over a week of being penned in for fear of Israeli bombing.

Shoppers filled up with fruit, vegetables and freshly slaughtered chickens in an outdoor market.

Israeli strikes have killed more than 230 Palestinians, Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Kidra said yesterday before the mayhem restarted.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri insisted that the ceasefire deal was still alive and expressed frustration that “Palestinian factions” had not agreed to it.

However, Hamas insists that there is no value in a truce that leaves Gaza squeezed in an economic blockade by Israel and Egypt.

Tel Aviv imposes restrictions on construction material, claiming that it could be diverted for military use. It also bars most exports from Gaza, crippling the local economy.

Hamas also wants recently recaptured activists released and the right for Gaza to build its own seaport under international monitoring.