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Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal 'reached' | Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal 'reached' |
(35 minutes later) | |
A ceasefire deal has been reached to end fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militants in Gaza, an Israeli official has told the BBC. | |
He said it was due to take effect on Friday at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT). | |
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 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 relief | Emergency relief |
Egypt has been mediating in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which dominates the Gaza strip. | |
The Egyptian foreign ministry has so far made no statement regarding the alleged ceasefire agreement. | |
Thursday's five-hour truce 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. | |
But two hours after the truce started, the Israeli military said that "Gazan terrorists" had fired mortars at the Eshkol regional council. | |
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. |