In Israel and the Occupied Territories, thousands of people from several different Palestinian factions rallied in Bethlehem Thursday in a rare show of unity against an Israeli strike that killed four members of Islamic Jihad. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are bracing for further Israeli attacks after the collapse of a five-day tacit truce. Palestinian militants and Israeli troops have traded fire since the Bethlehem attack. Hamas had called for a temporary ceasefire, but Israel says it’s entitled to carry out further strikes. On Thursday, Israeli government spokesperson Aryeh Mekel dismissed talks with Palestinian militants.

Aryeh Mekel: “Israel is not talking to Hamas and Jihad. Israel will not talk to Hamas and Jihad. These are terrorist organizations, and with them we will fight, we will continue to fight, as part of our war on terror and on terrorists.”