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Gaza conflict: Israel and Hamas 'agree ceasefire' | Gaza conflict: Israel and Hamas 'agree ceasefire' |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Israel and Palestinian groups including Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour humanitarian truce in Gaza, officials and Egyptian mediators say. | Israel and Palestinian groups including Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour humanitarian truce in Gaza, officials and Egyptian mediators say. |
The ceasefire will start at 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Tuesday. | The ceasefire will start at 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Tuesday. |
On Monday Israel held its own seven-hour "humanitarian window" in Gaza but then resumed its military operations. | On Monday Israel held its own seven-hour "humanitarian window" in Gaza but then resumed its military operations. |
Health officials in Gaza say more than 1,800 Palestinians have been killed in the four-week conflict, which has also claimed 67 Israeli lives. | Health officials in Gaza say more than 1,800 Palestinians have been killed in the four-week conflict, which has also claimed 67 Israeli lives. |
A Thai national working in Israel was also killed. | A Thai national working in Israel was also killed. |
'Without preconditions' | 'Without preconditions' |
There have been several truces called during the conflict but few have lasted, with each side accusing the other of violations. | There have been several truces called during the conflict but few have lasted, with each side accusing the other of violations. |
The latest was discussed on Monday by various Palestinian groups in Cairo, although Israel did not attend. | The latest was discussed on Monday by various Palestinian groups in Cairo, although Israel did not attend. |
However, a senior Israeli official later told the BBC: "Israel will accept the draft of the Egyptian proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, without preconditions and for 72 hours." | However, a senior Israeli official later told the BBC: "Israel will accept the draft of the Egyptian proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, without preconditions and for 72 hours." |
Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas, which controls Gaza, told Reuters news agency: "Hamas told Egypt a short while ago of its acceptance of a 72-hour period of calm." | Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas, which controls Gaza, told Reuters news agency: "Hamas told Egypt a short while ago of its acceptance of a 72-hour period of calm." |
A senior Egyptian official told AFP news agency: "Egypt's contacts with relevant parties have achieved a commitment for a 72-hour truce in Gaza." | A senior Egyptian official told AFP news agency: "Egypt's contacts with relevant parties have achieved a commitment for a 72-hour truce in Gaza." |
Egypt negotiated a similar truce earlier in the conflict that was accepted by Israel but rejected by Hamas. | Egypt negotiated a similar truce earlier in the conflict that was accepted by Israel but rejected by Hamas. |
The new agreement proposes that delegations from all sides then attend further talks in Cairo. | The new agreement proposes that delegations from all sides then attend further talks in Cairo. |
The main Palestinian demands remain on the table, notably a full Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, the end of the blockade of the territory and the opening of border crossings. | The main Palestinian demands remain on the table, notably a full Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, the end of the blockade of the territory and the opening of border crossings. |
Deputy National Security Adviser Tony Blinken welcomed the ceasefire but told CNN that it was up to Hamas to maintain the truce. | |
"This is a real opportunity. We strongly support the initiative," he said. | |
In Washington, President Barack Obama approved legislation to provide a further $225m to help Israel run its "Iron Dome" anti-missile shield. | |
Earlier state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki denied the US position was contradictory. | |
She said it was possible to strategically support its ally by providing it with defence supplies, but criticise the high number of civilian casualties in Gaza. | |
The BBC's Mark Lowen, in Cairo, says Hamas needs to be seen to have achieved something after more than 1,800 Palestinian deaths, but a longer-term calm will need both sides to give ground. | The BBC's Mark Lowen, in Cairo, says Hamas needs to be seen to have achieved something after more than 1,800 Palestinian deaths, but a longer-term calm will need both sides to give ground. |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said again on Monday that Israel's main goal was to "return quiet and security to the citizens of Israel". | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said again on Monday that Israel's main goal was to "return quiet and security to the citizens of Israel". |
Speaking after the seven-hour truce ended, he also said that the military operation would not end until all tunnels used by militants to infiltrate Israel were destroyed. | Speaking after the seven-hour truce ended, he also said that the military operation would not end until all tunnels used by militants to infiltrate Israel were destroyed. |
Israel launched Operation Protective Edge on 8 July with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks. | Israel launched Operation Protective Edge on 8 July with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks. |
Jerusalem attacks | Jerusalem attacks |
Israel's seven-hour "window" generally slowed the violence on Monday, although Palestinian officials said Israel broke it shortly after it began by hitting a house in Gaza City. | Israel's seven-hour "window" generally slowed the violence on Monday, although Palestinian officials said Israel broke it shortly after it began by hitting a house in Gaza City. |
A young girl was killed and at least 15 other people injured, many of them women and children. | A young girl was killed and at least 15 other people injured, many of them women and children. |
Israel said a number of rockets were fired from Gaza during the window. | Israel said a number of rockets were fired from Gaza during the window. |
And in Jerusalem, a construction vehicle driven by a man, identified by police as a Palestinian from east Jerusalem, overturned a bus in an ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood. | And in Jerusalem, a construction vehicle driven by a man, identified by police as a Palestinian from east Jerusalem, overturned a bus in an ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood. |
A passer-by was killed and several people were injured before police shot dead the driver. | A passer-by was killed and several people were injured before police shot dead the driver. |
Later a soldier was seriously injured in a suspected drive-by shooting in Jerusalem's Mt Scopus area. | Later a soldier was seriously injured in a suspected drive-by shooting in Jerusalem's Mt Scopus area. |