A three-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has begun.
The Egyptian-brokered truce follows six previous ceasefire attempts which have all been marked by allegations from both sides of continued attacks.
Confirming the deal, Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said: “Israel will honour the ceasefire and will be watching to see if Hamas does too.”
Adding a further note of caution, an official speaking on condition of anonymity said Israel would be watching the day unfold “with a certain amount of scepticism”.
The truce follows three days of negotiations in Cairo attended by a Palestinian delegation, but shunned by Israel.
Egypt is now expected to host indirect talks aimed at thrashing out a more lasting deal.
Hamas has demanded Israel withdraw from Gaza and end a blockade of the territory.
It has also called for its prisoners to be released and for international assistance in rebuilding Gaza.
Bassam Salhi, a member of the Palestinian delegation, admitted brokering a peace deal which satisfies both sides will prove difficult.
“It’s going to be tough negotiations because Israel has demands too,” he said.
More than 20 Palestinians were killed on Monday, including an eight-year-old girl who died in an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in Gaza City, just minutes into a seven-hour partial truce.
The Israeli military said it was targeting an “operative threat” and rocket fire in the strike.
Jerusalem, meanwhile, was rocked by two attacks which appeared to be in retaliation for violence in the Gaza Strip.
The driver of a digger was shot dead after hitting a bus, killing one person, in what Israel described as a “terrorist attack”… see more
source: skynews
Tags: Israel Hamas ceasefire, Politics, Troops leaving
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