A Palestinian boy and his father look at the house of top Hamas political leader Mahmoud Zahar which police said was targeted by an Israeli air strike in Gaza City
A Palestinian boy stands with his father as they look at the house of top Hamas political leader Mahmoud Zahar which police said was targeted by an Israeli air strike in Gaza City July 16, 2014. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has collapsed after rockets were fired from Gaza. The wife and child of a Hamas militant leader were allegedly killed from an Israeli airstrike that left 11 people dead, according to BBC.

A Hamas official in Egypt said Israel was trying to kill the head of its armed wing, Mohammed Deif. On Augiust 19, about 50 rockets have been fired from Gaza and another 20 on August 20. No injuries were reported due to rocket fire.

The fighting had resumed hours before the ceasefire was set to expire. Talks in Cairo had failed to yield an agreement for lasting peace. Israeli delegates said they were going home.

Reports said it was still unclear if Deif had survived the airstrikes but Hamas deputy leader Mussa Abu Marzuk was quoted to have confirmed that his wife and daughter had died.

Israeli Interior Minister Gideon Saar said Deif was a "legitimate target" and Israeli forces would not hesitate to kill him if they had the chance.

Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, declared that Israel had unleashed "the gates of hell." They threatened that Israel will pay "a heavy price."

Palestinian officials said about 100 people were injured since the Gaza truce ended. The Israeli forces had shot down rockets fired from Gaza. According to officials, about 2,028 Palestinians and 66 Israelis had died since the fighting began in Gaza on July 8.

Speaking for the Israeli government, Mark Regev said the rockets fired from Gaza before the expiry of the truce had made talks "impossible." The delegation from Israel had "walked out" of the Cairo talks.

The United States has blamed Hamas for the renewed fighting in Gaza. Before the fight resumed, Israel had demanded that Hamas should be disarmed for a chance at peace. Palestinian representatives wanted to end the Egyptian and Israeli blockades of Gaza. They also demanded the construction of an airport and seaport. Hamas has already insisted it will not give up their weapons.

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