This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28732928
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Gaza conflict: New three-day ceasefire begins | Gaza conflict: New three-day ceasefire begins |
| (6 months later) | |
| A three-day truce has come into effect between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza, after a day of intense diplomacy. | A three-day truce has come into effect between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza, after a day of intense diplomacy. |
| It is hoped the latest truce, which came into effect at 21:00 GMT, will help negotiators agree a longer peace. | It is hoped the latest truce, which came into effect at 21:00 GMT, will help negotiators agree a longer peace. |
| Egypt brokered a similar truce last week, but fighting resumed after the three-day window ended. | Egypt brokered a similar truce last week, but fighting resumed after the three-day window ended. |
| About 2,000 people have died in the conflict, which began on 8 July when Israel launched an operation to deter militant attacks from Gaza. | About 2,000 people have died in the conflict, which began on 8 July when Israel launched an operation to deter militant attacks from Gaza. |
| Those killed include more than 1,900 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the UN. Sixty-seven people have died on the Israeli side, including three civilians. | Those killed include more than 1,900 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the UN. Sixty-seven people have died on the Israeli side, including three civilians. |
| Israeli media were reporting warning sirens for rocket attacks right up to the new ceasefire deadline at midnight local time. Israeli air strikes also continued through Sunday evening. | Israeli media were reporting warning sirens for rocket attacks right up to the new ceasefire deadline at midnight local time. Israeli air strikes also continued through Sunday evening. |
| However, an hour into the ceasefire there were no reports of attacks from either side. | However, an hour into the ceasefire there were no reports of attacks from either side. |
| After tense talks that both sides had threatened to abandon, the surprise announcement of the truce came late on Sunday. | After tense talks that both sides had threatened to abandon, the surprise announcement of the truce came late on Sunday. |
| "Israel has accepted Egypt's proposal for a 72-hour ceasefire," a senior Israeli official told the BBC. | "Israel has accepted Egypt's proposal for a 72-hour ceasefire," a senior Israeli official told the BBC. |
| The official added that Israel would send negotiators to Cairo on Monday if the truce holds. | The official added that Israel would send negotiators to Cairo on Monday if the truce holds. |
| Izzat al-Reshiq, a Hamas negotiator in Cairo, told Reuters news agency: "In light of Israel's acceptance of the truce and their return without pre-conditions, we will inform the Egyptian brothers of our positive response." | Izzat al-Reshiq, a Hamas negotiator in Cairo, told Reuters news agency: "In light of Israel's acceptance of the truce and their return without pre-conditions, we will inform the Egyptian brothers of our positive response." |
| In a statement, Egypt's foreign ministry urged both sides to resume indirect negotiations and "work towards a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire agreement". | In a statement, Egypt's foreign ministry urged both sides to resume indirect negotiations and "work towards a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire agreement". |
| Correspondents say Israel is likely to continue to push for Gaza to be demilitarised, and Hamas will continue to demand the blockade of Gaza to be lifted. | Correspondents say Israel is likely to continue to push for Gaza to be demilitarised, and Hamas will continue to demand the blockade of Gaza to be lifted. |
| The issues have scuppered previous talks, conducted through intermediaries. | The issues have scuppered previous talks, conducted through intermediaries. |
| However, an unidentified Hamas negotiator said their demands were likely to be "more modest" this time. | However, an unidentified Hamas negotiator said their demands were likely to be "more modest" this time. |
| Since the last 72-hour truce ended on Friday, there has been regular exchange of fire. | Since the last 72-hour truce ended on Friday, there has been regular exchange of fire. |
| Israeli air strikes have killed at least 20 Palestinians. Two Israelis were injured by mortars. | Israeli air strikes have killed at least 20 Palestinians. Two Israelis were injured by mortars. |
| The BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem says the ceasefire should allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, where thousands have been left homeless. | The BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem says the ceasefire should allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, where thousands have been left homeless. |
| On the Israeli side, where dozens of communities have been evacuated, residents will also be able to return home. | On the Israeli side, where dozens of communities have been evacuated, residents will also be able to return home. |
| Human cost of the conflict | Human cost of the conflict |
| Palestinian deaths | Palestinian deaths |
| Israeli deaths | Israeli deaths |
| (Source: OCHA; 0800 GMT on 9 August) | (Source: OCHA; 0800 GMT on 9 August) |