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| Israel accepts truce 'principles' | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Israel has agreed "on the principles" of a ceasefire proposal, raising hopes of an end to its conflict with Palestinian militants in Gaza. | |
| "The challenge now is to get the details to match the principles," Israeli spokesman Mark Regev said. | |
| The Palestinian militant group Hamas said there were "positive signs but no agreement yet". | |
| The development came as Israel halted military operations in Gaza for three hours to aid humanitarian efforts. | The development came as Israel halted military operations in Gaza for three hours to aid humanitarian efforts. |
| The lull, which began about 1100 GMT and ended shortly after 1400 GMT, was the first of what an Israeli spokesman said would be a daily ceasefire to allow Gazans to "get medical attention, get supplies... whatever they need". | |
| The AFP news agency reported that Gaza residents had rushed out into the streets during the lull to stock up on food and visit relatives in hospital. | |
| Smuggling | |
| Israel and Hamas have been under pressure to accept a diplomatic solution to the conflict, which began on 27 December. | |
| Israel said it was not sure how long the diplomatic process would take and would need a working arms embargo on Hamas. | |
| GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/5122404.stm">Profile: Gaza Strip class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/1654510.stm">Who are Hamas? class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7815415.stm">In pictures: Tunnel smugglers class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7380642.stm">Middle East conflict: History in maps | |
| Little official detail has been given about the French-Egyptian proposal, which is backed by the US and UN, but diplomats say it centres around measures to halt weapons smuggling from Egypt into Gaza, coupled with moves to ease the blockade. | |
| In a statement released on Wednesday, France's President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomed "the acceptance by Israel and the Palestinian Authority" of the truce plan. The statement did not mention Hamas. | |
| Blockade | Blockade |
| Israel's military said the three-hour pause in operations to create "humanitarian corridors" for supplies and fuel would happen every day. | Israel's military said the three-hour pause in operations to create "humanitarian corridors" for supplies and fuel would happen every day. |
| Gaza offensive - in mapsChildren hit hard as Gaza toll risesGaza humanitarian crisis deepensIn pictures: Gaza conflict continues | Gaza offensive - in mapsChildren hit hard as Gaza toll risesGaza humanitarian crisis deepensIn pictures: Gaza conflict continues |
| A Hamas spokesman said that the group would not launch any missiles at Israeli targets during the lull. | |
| Israel has been criticised by aid agencies who have warned of a mounting humanitarian crisis for the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, who are unable to escape from the conflict because of Israel's blockade. | Israel has been criticised by aid agencies who have warned of a mounting humanitarian crisis for the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, who are unable to escape from the conflict because of Israel's blockade. |
| However Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for the UN relief agency Unwra, said the move did not go far enough. | However Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for the UN relief agency Unwra, said the move did not go far enough. |
| "When you are trying to feed 750,000 people a day in Gaza as we are, you need a permanent ceasefire. You can't do that in a three-hour window," he said. | "When you are trying to feed 750,000 people a day in Gaza as we are, you need a permanent ceasefire. You can't do that in a three-hour window," he said. |
| The World Bank also warned on Wednesday of a looming public health crisis in Gaza because of damage to its sewage system and a shortage of clean drinking water. | The World Bank also warned on Wednesday of a looming public health crisis in Gaza because of damage to its sewage system and a shortage of clean drinking water. |
| It told the AFP news agency that Israel must allow the entry of parts, fuel and staff to the sewage complex in order to prevent Gaza's sewage lake structures from failing and putting 10,000 people at risk of drowning. | |
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| The aftermath of a rocket attack on Ashkelon, southern Israel | The aftermath of a rocket attack on Ashkelon, southern Israel |
| Israel's decision to facilitate "humanitarian corridors" follows one of the deadliest days since the offensive began last month, with more than 130 people killed on Tuesday. | Israel's decision to facilitate "humanitarian corridors" follows one of the deadliest days since the offensive began last month, with more than 130 people killed on Tuesday. |
| Overnight, Israeli forces launched 40 fresh air strikes in Gaza, while Israeli media reports say nine rockets were fired into southern Israel from Gaza early on Wednesday. | Overnight, Israeli forces launched 40 fresh air strikes in Gaza, while Israeli media reports say nine rockets were fired into southern Israel from Gaza early on Wednesday. |
| More than 600 Palestinians are now believed to have been killed since Israel began its offensive on 27 December. | More than 600 Palestinians are now believed to have been killed since Israel began its offensive on 27 December. |
| Palestinian health ministry officials say at least 195 children were among those killed. | Palestinian health ministry officials say at least 195 children were among those killed. |
| An Israeli attack on Tuesday on a UN-run school building, being used to shelter people who had fled their homes, killed 40 people, UN officials say. | An Israeli attack on Tuesday on a UN-run school building, being used to shelter people who had fled their homes, killed 40 people, UN officials say. |
| Since the start of its military operation in Gaza, Israel has lost seven soldiers on the ground. | |
| Militants have also launched hundreds of rockets into Isreal, killing four people. | |
| Casualty claims in Gaza cannot be independently verified. | Casualty claims in Gaza cannot be independently verified. |
| Israel is refusing to let international journalists into Gaza, despite a supreme court ruling to allow a limited number of reporters to enter the territory. | Israel is refusing to let international journalists into Gaza, despite a supreme court ruling to allow a limited number of reporters to enter the territory. |
| Are you or your friends or family in the region affected by the violence? Tell us your experiences by using the form below. | Are you or your friends or family in the region affected by the violence? Tell us your experiences by using the form below. |
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