Israel, Hamas agree on 72-hour truce
August 01, 2014  08:41
Hopes of an end to the bloodshed in Gaza rose early Friday after US Secretary of State John Kerry announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed a 72-hour ceasefire. 

Both sides swiftly confirmed that they agreed to the ceasefire, due to begin at 0500 GMT Friday, after 25 days of bloody confrontation. 

Speaking in New Delhi, Kerry said after the ceasefire went into force, Israeli and Palestinian representatives, including from Hamas, would begin talks in Cairo in a move confirmed by Egypt. 

But he said Israeli forces would remain inside Gaza. 

Earlier Thursday, Israel vowed it would not accept any ceasefire that did not allow troops to continue destroying tunnels used by militants to attack Israel. 

The announcement came as the Palestinian death toll in Gaza hit 1,442, surpassing that of a massive three-week Israeli operation over New Year 2009, medics said. 
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