Rocket fired from Gaza hits Israel Published duration 13 August 2014

image copyright AFP image caption Thousands of rockets have been fired at Israel by Gaza militants in the past five weeks - file photo

A rocket fired from Gaza has hit southern Israel just hours before a three-day ceasefire was due to expire, police say.

The rocket came down in an open area near Ashkelon, but caused no casualties or damage, a spokeswoman said.

Hamas militants denied they had fired any rockets, Reuters reported.

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have been involved in indirect talks in Egypt aimed at finding a long-term solution to the Gaza conflict.

About 2,000 people have died since the fighting in Gaza began on 8 July.

Those killed include more than 1,900 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the United Nations.

Sixty-four Israeli soldiers have been killed in the violence and three civilians in Israel have also died.