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Israel offers Gaza truce extension but Hamas has yet to agree | Israel offers Gaza truce extension but Hamas has yet to agree |
(35 minutes later) | |
Israel has offered to extend a three-day ceasefire in Gaza which began on Tuesday after nearly a month of conflict, Israeli officials say. | Israel has offered to extend a three-day ceasefire in Gaza which began on Tuesday after nearly a month of conflict, Israeli officials say. |
But there has so far been no agreement from the militant Hamas movement, which controls Gaza, as indirect talks continue in Cairo. | But there has so far been no agreement from the militant Hamas movement, which controls Gaza, as indirect talks continue in Cairo. |
US President Barack Obama has said a more durable truce requires risks being taken by leaders on both sides. | US President Barack Obama has said a more durable truce requires risks being taken by leaders on both sides. |
He said trust needs to rebuilt, which was difficult after a time of violence. | He said trust needs to rebuilt, which was difficult after a time of violence. |
"Long term, there has to be a recognition that Gaza cannot sustain itself permanently closed off from the world," said the US president, speaking in Washington. | "Long term, there has to be a recognition that Gaza cannot sustain itself permanently closed off from the world," said the US president, speaking in Washington. |
More than 1,800 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 67 Israelis, mainly soldiers, have died in the conflict. | More than 1,800 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 67 Israelis, mainly soldiers, have died in the conflict. |
A Thai national in Israel was also killed. | A Thai national in Israel was also killed. |
In his first comments since the 72-hour truce began, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for all of the civilian casualties, saying it had used civilians as human shields. | |
'Breaches international law' | |
A senior Israeli official told the BBC Israel had expressed its readiness to extend the truce under its current terms beyond its expiry on Friday. | A senior Israeli official told the BBC Israel had expressed its readiness to extend the truce under its current terms beyond its expiry on Friday. |
However, a member of the Palestinian delegation at the Cairo talks, Moussa Abu Marzouk, wrote on Twitter: "There is no agreement to extend the ceasefire." | However, a member of the Palestinian delegation at the Cairo talks, Moussa Abu Marzouk, wrote on Twitter: "There is no agreement to extend the ceasefire." |
The Palestinian delegation at the Cairo talks includes negotiators from Hamas, as well as members of Islamic Jihad and the Palestinian Authority. | The Palestinian delegation at the Cairo talks includes negotiators from Hamas, as well as members of Islamic Jihad and the Palestinian Authority. |
The main Palestinian demands include the end of Israel's blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007, and the opening of border crossings. The Palestinians also want internationally funded reconstruction. | The main Palestinian demands include the end of Israel's blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007, and the opening of border crossings. The Palestinians also want internationally funded reconstruction. |
The names of those representing Israel have not been given. | The names of those representing Israel have not been given. |
Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon criticised Israel for shelling UN compounds, saying UN shelters must be safe zones. | Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon criticised Israel for shelling UN compounds, saying UN shelters must be safe zones. |
"In the most recent case of shelling on a UN facility, the Israelis were informed of the coordinates 33 times," Mr Ban said. "Attacks against UN premises, along with other suspected breaches of international law, must be swiftly investigated." | "In the most recent case of shelling on a UN facility, the Israelis were informed of the coordinates 33 times," Mr Ban said. "Attacks against UN premises, along with other suspected breaches of international law, must be swiftly investigated." |
Israel has been stung by widespread international criticism of its month-long bombing campaign in Gaza, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem. | Israel has been stung by widespread international criticism of its month-long bombing campaign in Gaza, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem. |
Gaza's health ministry listed 1,867 people as killed. The UN says more than 1,300 were civilians, and more than 400 were children. | Gaza's health ministry listed 1,867 people as killed. The UN says more than 1,300 were civilians, and more than 400 were children. |
Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza have been returning to their homes. Many have found nothing left, reports the BBC's Jon Donnison, in Gaza. | Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza have been returning to their homes. Many have found nothing left, reports the BBC's Jon Donnison, in Gaza. |
Norway is organising a donor conference to help fund Gaza's reconstruction. | Norway is organising a donor conference to help fund Gaza's reconstruction. |
Israel launched Operation Protective Edge on 8 July with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks from Gaza. | Israel launched Operation Protective Edge on 8 July with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks from Gaza. |
On 17 July, it began ground operations intended to destroy tunnels used by militants to infiltrate Israel. | On 17 July, it began ground operations intended to destroy tunnels used by militants to infiltrate Israel. |
Are you in the region? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Gaza Israel' in the subject heading and include your contact details. | Are you in the region? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Gaza Israel' in the subject heading and include your contact details. |