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Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal 'reached' Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal 'reached'
(35 minutes later)
A comprehensive ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Gaza, an Israeli official has told the BBC. A ceasefire deal has been reached to end fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militants in Gaza, an Israeli official has told the BBC.
The ceasefire is due to take effect on Friday at 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT). He said it was due to take effect on Friday at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT).
Earlier, Palestinian militants fired three mortars from Gaza at Israel during a brief humanitarian ceasefire, Israeli security forces say. Hamas have not yet officially commented on the purported ceasefire, said to have been reached after talks in Egypt.
Some 227 Palestinians have died in Israeli air strikes since the current crisis began on 8 July. Militant rockets have killed one Israeli. Some 227 Palestinians have died in Israeli air strikes since the current crisis began on 8 July. Militant mortar fire has killed one Israeli.
Israel launched its military operation in Gaza nine days ago with the stated objective of halting Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.Israel launched its military operation in Gaza nine days ago with the stated objective of halting Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.
However, the United Nations says most of those killed in Gaza have been civilians.However, the United Nations says most of those killed in Gaza have been civilians.
Israel accuses Hamas of hiding its military infrastructure within the civilian population.Israel accuses Hamas of hiding its military infrastructure within the civilian population.
Emergency reliefEmergency relief
Hamas and Israel had agreed to halt fighting for five hours on Thursday to allow Gazans to stock up on supplies. Egypt has been mediating in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which dominates the Gaza strip.
As Palestinian militants reportedly fired mortars during the truce, Hamas TV accused Israel of firing mortar shells near eastern Rafah in south Gaza. The Egyptian foreign ministry has so far made no statement regarding the alleged ceasefire agreement.
"While the IDF holds its fire, three mortars fired from Gaza just hit the Eshkol regional council," the Israeli military said on Thursday, two hours after the ceasefire came into effect at 10:00 local time (07:00 GMT). Thursday's five-hour truce was requested by the UN and other international organisations.
Thursday's brief ceasefire, due to last until 15:00 local time, was requested by the UN and other international organisations. Hamas and Israel had agreed to halt fighting between 10:00 and 15:00 local time to allow Gazans to stock up on supplies.
The UN's relief operation in Gaza said it would use the temporary truce to step up emergency work in the Palestinian territory. Spokesman Chris Gunness said providing water, food and hygiene kits was the main priority. But two hours after the truce started, the Israeli military said that "Gazan terrorists" had fired mortars at the Eshkol regional council.
Correspondents said Gazans were queuing outside banks, and traffic was building up as residents rushed to stock up on supplies. Separately, Hamas TV accused Israel of firing mortar shells near eastern Rafah in south Gaza.
The UN's relief operation in Gaza earlier said it used the brief truce to step up emergency work in the Palestinian territory. Spokesman Chris Gunness said providing water, food and hygiene kits was the main priority.
Correspondents said Gazans were queuing outside banks, and there were traffic jams as residents rushed to stock up on supplies.
Israel says it has carried out more than 1,960 attacks on Gaza since 8 July, while militants have fired some 1,380 rockets at Israel.
The Israeli military has mobilised tens of thousands of troops on the border with Gaza amid speculation that a ground invasion could be launched.
The UN says at least 1,370 homes have been destroyed in Gaza and more than 18,000 people displaced in recent hostilities.