JERUSALEM (AFP) – The Israeli army said Friday a fragile three-day ceasefire between Israel and Gaza militants was over just hours after it started, blaming it on the capture of a soldier.

In response to a question from journalists about whether the truce had ended, army spokesman Peter Lerner said: “Yes. We are continuing our activities on the ground.”

“Our initial indications suggest a soldier has been abducted by terrorists in an incident where terrorists breached the ceasefire.”