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Gaza conflict: Israel and Hamas begin 12-hour window Gaza conflict: Israel and Hamas begin 12-hour truce
(about 1 hour later)
Israel and Hamas have begun a 12-hour humanitarian truce in Gaza.Israel and Hamas have begun a 12-hour humanitarian truce in Gaza.
Israel said it would continue to "locate and neutralise" Hamas tunnels during the pause, which began at 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT), and vowed to respond if it came under attack. Israel said it would continue to "locate and neutralise" Hamas tunnels during the pause, which began at 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT). International talks on a longer truce resume later.
International efforts to negotiate a longer seven-day ceasefire are still ongoing. In Gaza, some Palestinians were seen on the streets, some attempting to visit their homes in badly hit areas.
Israeli strikes killed 19 Palestinians overnight, medical sources said. Two Israeli soldiers were also killed. More than 870 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 38 Israelis have died since the conflict started on 8 July.
Over 870 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 38 Israelis have died since the conflict started on 8 July. Israeli strikes killed at least 19 Palestinians overnight, medical sources said, with many casualties reported in a family home near the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis.
Foreign ministers from the US, UK, Turkey and Qatar are among those meeting in France later on Saturday to try to negotiate a longer-term truce. Two Israeli soldiers were also killed, Israel's military confirmed.
'Astonishing scene': Ian Pannell, BBC News, Gaza City
In the district of Shejaiya, residents started flooding back from 08:00 despite warnings not to do so.
The scene here is just astonishing - the most widespread destruction: buildings completely pulverised, cars thrown 50m (160ft) into the air on top of buildings, the facades of some block of flats completely ripped off.
The air is pretty thick with the stench of death as people try to recover bodies and belongings.
In the background I can hear a crackle of gunfire and although a humanitarian ceasefire is in place, clearly people are still shooting. There is an Israeli drone flying overhead, and we've heard the sound of fighter jets.
I think people feel they have a brief window of opportunity to do as much as they can and then frankly get out of here.
Follow Ian Pannell's tweets from Gaza
'Confident of ceasefire''Confident of ceasefire'
A spokesman for Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri said late on Friday that there was "national consensus on a humanitarian truce... for 12 hours on Saturday".A spokesman for Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri said late on Friday that there was "national consensus on a humanitarian truce... for 12 hours on Saturday".
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later confirmed the truce on Twitter. "We will respond if terrorists choose to exploit this time to attack IDF personnel or fire at Israeli civilians," it said in a statement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later confirmed the truce on Twitter but vowed to respond if attacked. "We will respond if terrorists choose to exploit this time to attack IDF personnel or fire at Israeli civilians," it said in a statement.
Minutes after this pause in fighting came into effect, small crowds of people could be seen out on the streets of Gaza, says the BBC's Yolande Knell.
Banks are due to open and maintenance work is being carried out to try to repair damage done to the electricity and water supplies during the recent intense Israeli bombardment, she adds.Banks are due to open and maintenance work is being carried out to try to repair damage done to the electricity and water supplies during the recent intense Israeli bombardment, she adds.
Despite failure on Friday to agree a longer-term deal, foreign ministers from the US, UK, Turkey and Qatar are among those meeting in Paris later for more talks.
On Friday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was still confident of a longer ceasefire, despite media reports that Israel had rejected one proposal.On Friday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was still confident of a longer ceasefire, despite media reports that Israel had rejected one proposal.
"The goal is to bring together international efforts so that as quickly as possible conditions for a cease-fire in Gaza emerge," said a French foreign ministry spokesman.
The announcement of the humanitarian truce came shortly after Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon warned that ground operations in Gaza could soon be broadened "significantly".The announcement of the humanitarian truce came shortly after Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon warned that ground operations in Gaza could soon be broadened "significantly".
Mr Yaalon told soldiers: "You need to be ready for the possibility that very soon we will instruct the military to significantly broaden the ground operation in Gaza".Mr Yaalon told soldiers: "You need to be ready for the possibility that very soon we will instruct the military to significantly broaden the ground operation in Gaza".
Hamas has previously said it would not agree to any long-term truce that did not lead to an end to Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip. Hamas has previously said it would not agree to any long-term truce that did not lead to an end to Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has been in place since 2007.
The British ambassador to the UN, Mark Lyall Grant, said he was disappointed at the failure to reach a longer-term truce.The British ambassador to the UN, Mark Lyall Grant, said he was disappointed at the failure to reach a longer-term truce.
But he welcomed Saturday's 12-hour truce, saying it could "open up a little bit of space to work on a more sustainable ceasefire." But he welcomed Saturday's 12-hour pause, saying it could "open up a little bit of space to work on a more sustainable ceasefire".
West Bank clashesWest Bank clashes
According to the UN, Israeli air strikes killed a further 68 people in Gaza on Friday, bringing the total number of Palestinian dead to about 870. There were also clashes during protests in the West Bank on Friday which left at least five Palestinians dead.
There were also clashes during protests in the West Bank which left at least five Palestinians dead. Palestinians in the West Bank had declared a "Day of Rage" against Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinians in the West Bank had been taking part in a "Day of Rage" against Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile Israel's military said its Iron Dome defence system had intercepted several rockets fired across the border by Hamas.Meanwhile Israel's military said its Iron Dome defence system had intercepted several rockets fired across the border by Hamas.
Later it said that two of its soldiers had been killed in Gaza during the night.
Israel launched its military offensive on 8 July with the declared objective of stopping Hamas firing rockets into Israel.Israel launched its military offensive on 8 July with the declared objective of stopping Hamas firing rockets into Israel.
It has since extended its operation to destroy tunnels dug by militants to infiltrate Israel.It has since extended its operation to destroy tunnels dug by militants to infiltrate Israel.
Several foreign ministers, including Mr Kerry, are due to hold a meeting in France on Saturday to seek a diplomatic solution.
"The goal is to bring together international efforts so that as quickly as possible conditions for a cease-fire in Gaza emerge," said a French foreign ministry spokesman.
Are you in the West Bank, Gaza or Israel? Are you affected by the violence? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Israel Gaza'.Are you in the West Bank, Gaza or Israel? Are you affected by the violence? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Israel Gaza'.