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Israel and Palestinians begin tense five-day Gaza truce | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Israel and the Palestinians have begun a fresh five-day ceasefire in Gaza, agreed at the end of a three-day truce. | |
As the ceasefire was announced, Israel launched air strikes in response to alleged rocket fire from Gaza. | |
There were no more reports of violence overnight, and the two sides were expected to continue indirect talks mediated by Egypt in Cairo. | |
The Israelis launched a military operation in Gaza on 8 July to stop militant attacks from Gaza. | |
'Forbiddingly difficult' | |
Hamas, which controls Gaza and is involved in the Cairo talks, has denied its members launched rockets at Israel on Wednesday night. | |
Israeli military spokesman Peter Lerner said on Twitter: "No need to jump to conclusions. I don't know who launched 10pm (19:00GMT) rocket at Israel." | |
There was no immediate report of casualties from either side. | |
Palestinian sources say the truce extension will create a window for further negotiations. | Palestinian sources say the truce extension will create a window for further negotiations. |
But the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Gaza says future talks are likely to be forbiddingly difficult. | But the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Gaza says future talks are likely to be forbiddingly difficult. |
Officials from both sides have been communicating their demands through Egyptian intermediaries in Cairo. | Officials from both sides have been communicating their demands through Egyptian intermediaries in Cairo. |
The talks are aimed at finding a more durable solution to the conflict in Gaza. | The talks are aimed at finding a more durable solution to the conflict in Gaza. |
Demands postponed | |
The Palestinian side wants the blockade on Gaza to be lifted, while Israel wants the territory to be fully disarmed. | |
Israel has indicated it may agree to relax parts of the blockade, Egyptian and Palestinian sources said. | |
Other proposals under discussion include reducing the "no-go" zone in Gaza, and increasing the offshore fishing zone for Gaza fishermen. | |
Egyptian mediators have proposed that discussion of other demands, such as the opening of a seaport in Gaza and the return of the remains of two dead Israeli soldiers, be postponed. | |
About 2,000 people have died since the fighting in Gaza began on 8 July. | |
Those killed include more than 1,900 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the United Nations. | |
Sixty-four Israeli soldiers have been killed in the violence and three civilians in Israel have also died. | |
Tension between Gaza and Israel rose after the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in June. | |
Israel blamed the killings on Hamas, though the group denied involvement. | |
Tension rose further after the suspected revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem on 2 July. Six Jewish suspects were arrested over the youth's abduction and murder. | |
Israel occupied Gaza in 1967 and only pulled its troops and settlers out in 2005. | |
However, it still exercises control over most of Gaza's borders, water and air space. | |
Egypt controls Gaza's southern border. |