Sunday, August 10, 2014

New truce agreed in Gaza conflict

Israel and Palestinian factions have agreed to a fresh 72-hour ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

Egypt brokered a similar truce last week, but fighting resumed after the three-day window.



Israeli air strikes and Palestinian rocket fire continued on Sunday

 It is hoped the latest ceasefire, due to begin at 21:00 GMT, will enable negotiators to agree on a longer truce.

About 2,000 people have died in the conflict, which began on 8 July when Israel launched an operation to deter militant attacks from Gaza.


Those killed include more than 1,900 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the UN. Sixty-seven people have died on the Israeli side, including three civilians.


After tense talks that both sides had threatened to abandon, the surprise announcement of the truce came late on Sunday.


"Israel has accepted Egypt's proposal for a 72-hour ceasefire," a senior Israeli official told the BBC.


The official added that Israel would send negotiators to Cairo on Monday if the truce holds.


Izzat al-Reshiq, a Hamas negotiator in Cairo, told Reuters news agency: "In light of Israel's acceptance of the truce and their return without pre-conditions, we will inform the Egyptian brothers of our positive response."


Correspondents say Israel is likely to continue to push for Gaza to be demilitarised, and Hamas will continue to demand the blockade of Gaza to be lifted.

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