A flare-up in fighting between Israel and militants from Gaza's ruling Hamas movement has subsided after intervention from the government in Egypt.

Israeli defence official Amos Gilad told Army Radio that Egyptian security forces have "a very impressive ability" to convey to the militants that it is in their "supreme interest not to attack".

Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha said Egypt conveyed Israel's desire to contain the violence. He said Hamas told Egyptian officials that militants would cease fire if Israel would.

The Israeli military said militants have not attacked southern Israel since Wednesday night, and that the military has not struck Gaza since Wednesday morning.

Militants fired about 80 rockets and mortars at Israel on Wednesday and Israeli aircraft struck four times.

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