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Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal 'reached' Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal denied
(35 minutes later)
A ceasefire deal has been reached to end fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, an Israeli official has told the BBC. Israel's foreign minister and Hamas have denied earlier reports of a truce deal to end fighting in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militants.
He said it was due to take effect on Friday at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT). Avigdor Lieberman said the reports were "as of now incorrect", and Hamas, which controls Gaza, said talks in Egypt were ongoing.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, has denied a deal has been reached at talks in Egypt, but that efforts are continuing. An Israeli official earlier told the BBC the truce was to take effect on Friday at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT).
Some 227 Palestinians have died in Israeli air strikes since the current crisis began on 8 July. One Israeli has been killed by mortar fire from Gaza. Some 227 Palestinians and one Israeli have died in nine days of conflict.
Israel launched its military operation in Gaza nine days ago with the stated objective of halting Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel. Israel launched its Operation Protective Edge with the stated objective of halting Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.
However, the United Nations says most of those killed in Gaza have been civilians.However, the United Nations says most of those killed in Gaza have been civilians.
Israel accuses Hamas of hiding its military infrastructure within the civilian population.Israel accuses Hamas of hiding its military infrastructure within the civilian population.
Emergency reliefEmergency relief
Egypt has been mediating in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Egypt has been mediating in negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
The Egyptian foreign ministry has so far made no statement regarding the purported ceasefire agreement. Earlier reports said a new truce deal had been agreed by Israeli negotiators but that it had not yet been approved by the Israeli cabinet.
Reports say that the deal was agreed by Israeli negotiators at the talks in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, but that it has not yet been approved by the Israeli cabinet. However, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Agence France-Presse: "The news about a ceasefire is incorrect. There are continuing efforts but no agreement until now."
Thursday's five-hour truce was requested by the UN and other international organisations to provide emergency relief and distribute water, food and hygiene kits. Mr Lieberman told Israeli media: "The reports of a ceasefire are far from representing reality. I spoke with the prime minister, and as of now they are incorrect."
Hamas and Israel had agreed to halt fighting between 10:00 and 15:00 local time to allow Gazans to stock up on supplies. A five-hour truce took place on Thursday between 10:00 and 15:00 local time.
Correspondents said Gazans were queuing outside banks and there were traffic jams as residents rushed to stock up on supplies. It was requested by the UN and other international organisations to provide emergency relief and distribute water, food and hygiene kits.
But two hours after the truce started, the Israeli military said that "Gazan terrorists" had fired mortars at the Eshkol regional council. However, a few minutes after the temporary ceasefire ended, the Israel Defense Forces said a rocket fired from Gaza had hit the town of Ashkelon
Gazans had tried to use the temporary truce to stock up on supplies. They queued outside banks and there were traffic jams.
Two hours into the truce, the Israeli military said that "Gazan terrorists" had fired mortars at the Eshkol regional council.
Israel responded with mortar fire, which, according to Hamas TV, hit near eastern Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.Israel responded with mortar fire, which, according to Hamas TV, hit near eastern Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Fighting had continued until the truce came into effect on Thursday morning.Fighting had continued until the truce came into effect on Thursday morning.
Palestinian medics said three people were killed by Israeli tank fire which hit a house in Rafah minutes before the ceasefire began.Palestinian medics said three people were killed by Israeli tank fire which hit a house in Rafah minutes before the ceasefire began.
The Israeli military earlier confirmed it had carried out dozens of air strikes on targets in Gaza since midnight, while Palestinian militants continued to fire rockets at Israeli cities.The Israeli military earlier confirmed it had carried out dozens of air strikes on targets in Gaza since midnight, while Palestinian militants continued to fire rockets at Israeli cities.
Several of the rockets were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence shield, with the rest striking without causing casualties.Several of the rockets were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence shield, with the rest striking without causing casualties.
The Israeli military also said it had thwarted the infiltration into Israel by 13 Hamas gunmen via a tunnel from southern Gaza towards the southern Israeli kibbutz of Sufa on Thursday morning.The Israeli military also said it had thwarted the infiltration into Israel by 13 Hamas gunmen via a tunnel from southern Gaza towards the southern Israeli kibbutz of Sufa on Thursday morning.
Killings 'unintentional'Killings 'unintentional'
Meanwhile, Israeli President Shimon Peres has apologised for the deaths of four Palestinian children killed when Israeli artillery fire hit a beach near Gaza City on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Israeli President Shimon Peres has apologised for the deaths of four Palestinian children killed when Israeli artillery fire hit a beach near Gaza City on Wednesday.
"I think it was unintentional and we are really sorry to see four children being killed," he said in an interview with the BBC."I think it was unintentional and we are really sorry to see four children being killed," he said in an interview with the BBC.
He said an evacuation warning had been issued ahead of the air strike, which was targeting "a great concentration of weapons" in the area.He said an evacuation warning had been issued ahead of the air strike, which was targeting "a great concentration of weapons" in the area.
The Israeli military said it was "carefully investigating" the incident, adding that "based on preliminary results, the target of this strike was Hamas terrorist operatives".The Israeli military said it was "carefully investigating" the incident, adding that "based on preliminary results, the target of this strike was Hamas terrorist operatives".
Israel says it has carried out more than 1,960 attacks on Gaza since 8 July, while militants have fired some 1,380 rockets at Israel.Israel says it has carried out more than 1,960 attacks on Gaza since 8 July, while militants have fired some 1,380 rockets at Israel.
The Israeli military has mobilised tens of thousands of troops on the border with Gaza amid speculation that a ground invasion could be launched.The Israeli military has mobilised tens of thousands of troops on the border with Gaza amid speculation that a ground invasion could be launched.
The UN says at least 1,370 homes have been destroyed in Gaza and more than 18,000 people displaced in recent hostilities.The UN says at least 1,370 homes have been destroyed in Gaza and more than 18,000 people displaced in recent hostilities.