Jerusalem (CNN) Hours after violence flared between Israel and Hamas for the second time in a week, prompting renewed fears that Gaza could slide quickly into an all-out war, reports that a ceasefire has been restored surfaced.

The escalation began in the late afternoon, when an Israeli soldier died after being hit by gunfire during protests along the fence that separates Israel and Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

It was the first Israeli soldier killed on the fence since the last war between Israel and Hamas in 2014, the IDF said.

The IDF's initial response was tank and artillery fire.

Four people were killed in that salvo, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Read More