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Israel extends Gaza ceasefire with Hamas Israel extends Gaza ceasefire with Hamas
(35 minutes later)
Israel has agreed to extend a ceasefire in Gaza by four hours to (21:00 GMT), a military spokesman has told the BBC. Israel has extended a ceasefire in Gaza until 21:00 GMT and is considering a 24-hour pause, officials say.
There was no immediate decision from Palestinian group Hamas. Israel said mortars were fired from Gaza into Israel after the original truce ended. There was no immediate decision from Palestinian group Hamas. Israel said three mortars were fired from Gaza into Israel after a 12-hour truce ended.
Gazans had been using the pause to recover bodies and gather supplies.Gazans had been using the pause to recover bodies and gather supplies.
More than 1,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 42 Israelis, two civilians, have been killed since Israel launched the Gaza offensive.More than 1,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 42 Israelis, two civilians, have been killed since Israel launched the Gaza offensive.
About 5,870 Palestinians have been wounded in the 19 days of fighting, Gaza health officials say.About 5,870 Palestinians have been wounded in the 19 days of fighting, Gaza health officials say.
'Mortars fired''Mortars fired'
The original truce expired at 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT).The original truce expired at 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT).
A senior Israeli official told the BBC that the UN had requested a 24-hour extension to the ceasefire.A senior Israeli official told the BBC that the UN had requested a 24-hour extension to the ceasefire.
"At the first stage, the cabinet approved, in a phone vote, four more hours until midnight, in order to allow the cabinet to convene and discuss the UN's request," the official said."At the first stage, the cabinet approved, in a phone vote, four more hours until midnight, in order to allow the cabinet to convene and discuss the UN's request," the official said.
"The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] maintains the humanitarian pause, during which, the IDF's activity to neutralise the [Hamas] tunnels will continue.""The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] maintains the humanitarian pause, during which, the IDF's activity to neutralise the [Hamas] tunnels will continue."
Mahmoud Al-Zahar, a senior Hamas member, said the group had not yet agreed to an extension, and that "any ceasefire agreement must befit the sacrifice and price paid by the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the firm stance by the resistance", Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.Mahmoud Al-Zahar, a senior Hamas member, said the group had not yet agreed to an extension, and that "any ceasefire agreement must befit the sacrifice and price paid by the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the firm stance by the resistance", Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.
The IDF told the BBC that three mortars were fired from Gaza and hit Israel in the Eshkol regional council shortly after 20:00 local time.The IDF told the BBC that three mortars were fired from Gaza and hit Israel in the Eshkol regional council shortly after 20:00 local time.
'Roll-over ceasefire'
After talks in the French capital, Paris, foreign ministers from the US, Turkey, Qatar and several European countries urged both sides to extend the truce.After talks in the French capital, Paris, foreign ministers from the US, Turkey, Qatar and several European countries urged both sides to extend the truce.
UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC it was vital to get "the ceasefire to roll over... again and again, until we've established the level of confidence that allows the parties to sit round a table to talk around the substantive issues".UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC it was vital to get "the ceasefire to roll over... again and again, until we've established the level of confidence that allows the parties to sit round a table to talk around the substantive issues".
In other developments:
Israel launched its military offensive with the declared objective of stopping Hamas firing rockets from Gaza into Israel.Israel launched its military offensive with the declared objective of stopping Hamas firing rockets from Gaza into Israel.
It also began a ground offensive on 18 July, saying it was necessary to destroy tunnels dug by militants to infiltrate Israel.It also began a ground offensive on 18 July, saying it was necessary to destroy tunnels dug by militants to infiltrate Israel.
Are you affected by the recent violence in Gaza and Israel? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Israel Gaza'.