According to reports, the humanitarian truce in Shuja’iya that was agreed by Israel and Hamas to allow the evacuation of wounded from the area lasted less than an hour.

The Israeli army announced that its forces were attacked shortly after the start of the of the two-hour ceasefire which was requested by the Red Cross at 15:30 and fighting resumed.

Hamas is yet to comment on Israeli allegations that it had breached the ceasefire.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli army reiterated its intention to widen the ground offensive in Gaza Strip, 13 days after the beginning of Israel’s operation which, up to now, has cost the lives of more than 400 people.

“This evening, the ground phase of Operation Protective Edge expands, as additional forces join the effort to combat terror in the Gaza Strip and establish a reality in which Israeli residents can live in safety and security,” the Israeli army said in a statement.

A few hours ago it was also announced that the son of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayah was killed in a fresh Israeli attack in eastern Gaza Strip on Sunday.

In the meantime, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will visit the Middle East to express his “solidarity” and to help both Israelis and Palestinians, who have been involved for 13 days now in this bloody conflict, announced by the UN.