Despite massive rocket fire, Israel and Islamic Jihad ceasefire appears holding

Palestinians chant angry slogans as they carry the body of Islamic Jihad commander, Bahaa Abu el-Atta in Gaza City, Tuesday. Ata, a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was accused of planning rocket and other attacks against Israel over the past few years. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Since the strike, both the sides have been engaged in a series of bombardment on each other's territory. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

At least 34 Palestinians have died due to Israeli bombardment on Wednesday. Over 250 rockets from Gaza have been fired towards Israeli territory, the Israeli military has said. Hundreds of rocket launches by militants had paralysed much of southern Israel and reached as far north as Tel Aviv, sending thousands of people to shelters. Dozens of Israelis were hurt. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Palestinians walk amid the rubble of their family house following overnight Israeli missile strikes, in Al-Qarara, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Israeli families take shelter at the costal city of Ashkelon, Israel, Wednesday. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

On Thursday, the two sides reached a truce despite a lasting ceasefire appeared tenuous as they differed on terms. A few hours’ calm ensued, but later some projectiles were launched from the Gaza strip. Israel’s military said two rockets were shot down by its Iron Dome air defence system. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Gazans are seeking to end years of an Israeli-led blockade. Refugees from the 1948 war of Israel’s founding and their descendents make up most of the two million Palestinians in Gaza and want the right to return to their families’ former lands. Israel rejects this as demographic suicide and sees no means of making peace as long as Hamas and Islamic Jihad are armed. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)