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Gaza conflict: Palestinians 'agree long-term truce with Israel' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A long-term ceasefire has been agreed between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian and Egyptian officials say. | |
Egyptian state media reported that the truce, ending seven weeks of fighting that has left more than 2,200 people dead, would begin at 19:00 (16:00 GMT). | |
Hamas deputy political leader Moussa Abu Marzouk said the deal represented a "victory for the resistance". | |
There has so far been no comment from the Israeli government. | |
The apparent breakthrough came as both sides continued to trade fire. | The apparent breakthrough came as both sides continued to trade fire. |
A last-minute volley of mortar shells from Gaza killed an Israeli civilian and wounded six others in Eshkol Regional Council, medics told the BBC. | |
Earlier on Tuesday, at least six Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli air strikes in Gaza, Palestinian officials said. | |
Shuttle diplomacy | |
Palestinian officials said Egypt's ceasefire proposal called for an indefinite end to hostilities, the immediate opening of Gaza's crossings with Israel and Egypt, and an extension of the territory's Mediterranean fishing zone. | |
A month later, the officials added, Israel and the Palestinian factions would discuss the construction of a seaport in Gaza and the freeing of about 100 prisoners released in exchange for Gilad Shalit in 2011 who were recently rearrested in the occupied West Bank. | A month later, the officials added, Israel and the Palestinian factions would discuss the construction of a seaport in Gaza and the freeing of about 100 prisoners released in exchange for Gilad Shalit in 2011 who were recently rearrested in the occupied West Bank. |
Israel and Egypt were said to be demanding guarantees that weapons would not be smuggled into Gaza. | Israel and Egypt were said to be demanding guarantees that weapons would not be smuggled into Gaza. |
The Israeli delegation had reportedly been seeking guarantees that Hamas and other factions in Gaza would be disarmed. | The Israeli delegation had reportedly been seeking guarantees that Hamas and other factions in Gaza would be disarmed. |
Mr Abu Marzouk wrote on his Facebook page that the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement "embodies the resistance of our people and a victory for the resistance". | Mr Abu Marzouk wrote on his Facebook page that the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement "embodies the resistance of our people and a victory for the resistance". |
Analysis: Kevin Connolly, BBC News, Jerusalem | |
The ceasefire deal combines elements of possible agreements which have been under discussion for weeks. | |
At the core of it will be an end to hostilities in return for an easing of border restrictions on Gaza, which will allow in humanitarian supplies and desperately-needed materials for reconstruction. | |
Longer-term issues like the Hamas demand for an airport and a sea terminal will be pushed back to later in the talks process, perhaps by a month or so. | |
It is a formula that allows the violence to end without a full resolution of all the issues which have divided Israel and the Palestinian militants for many years. | |
Earlier ceasefires in this conflict have collapsed - the diplomatic hope now is that a kind of mutual war-weariness will give this deal a better chance of success. | |
One unnamed senior Palestinian official said the head of the Palestinian negotiating team, Azzam al-Ahmed, had played a key role, shuttling between Ramallah, Gaza and Doha, the capital of Qatar. | One unnamed senior Palestinian official said the head of the Palestinian negotiating team, Azzam al-Ahmed, had played a key role, shuttling between Ramallah, Gaza and Doha, the capital of Qatar. |
Israel launched Operation Protective Edge on 8 July with the stated aim of ending rocket fire. It was later expanded to include the destruction of tunnels used by militants for cross-border attacks. | Israel launched Operation Protective Edge on 8 July with the stated aim of ending rocket fire. It was later expanded to include the destruction of tunnels used by militants for cross-border attacks. |
At least 2,138 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry. | At least 2,138 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry. |
The Israeli authorities say 64 Israeli soldiers have been killed, along with three Israeli civilians and a Thai national. | The Israeli authorities say 64 Israeli soldiers have been killed, along with three Israeli civilians and a Thai national. |
'Terrorist infrastructure' | 'Terrorist infrastructure' |
Early on Tuesday, Israeli jets bombed two high-rise buildings in Gaza City. The Basha Tower, containing flats and offices, was flattened and the Italian Complex, with homes, shops and offices, was severely damaged. | Early on Tuesday, Israeli jets bombed two high-rise buildings in Gaza City. The Basha Tower, containing flats and offices, was flattened and the Italian Complex, with homes, shops and offices, was severely damaged. |
No-one was reported killed as residents managed to flee both buildings after the Israeli military warned them to leave. | No-one was reported killed as residents managed to flee both buildings after the Israeli military warned them to leave. |
However, 20 people were injured in the attack on the Italian Complex, and at least six others were killed in Israeli strikes elsewhere, medics said. | However, 20 people were injured in the attack on the Italian Complex, and at least six others were killed in Israeli strikes elsewhere, medics said. |
Hamas, the militant Islamist movement that dominates Gaza, accused Israel of an "unprecedented act of revenge" against civilians. | Hamas, the militant Islamist movement that dominates Gaza, accused Israel of an "unprecedented act of revenge" against civilians. |
But Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner told the Associated Press that the strikes were "a direct result of Hamas' decision to situate their terrorist infrastructure within the civilian sphere, including schools, hospitals and high-rise buildings". | But Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner told the Associated Press that the strikes were "a direct result of Hamas' decision to situate their terrorist infrastructure within the civilian sphere, including schools, hospitals and high-rise buildings". |
In Israel, 20 people were lightly injured when a rocket fired by militants in Gaza hit a residential area of the southern town of Ashkelon, police said. | In Israel, 20 people were lightly injured when a rocket fired by militants in Gaza hit a residential area of the southern town of Ashkelon, police said. |