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 (1PM Malaysian time) 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.
UN figures show that around two-thirds of the victims were civilians, drawing sharp criticism from around the world.
The truce was a joint US-UN initiative and will give civilians "a much needed reprieve," Kerry said.
"This is a respite, a moment of opportunity -- not an end. It's not a solution," he warned, saying Israel would still be allowed to carry out "defensive" operations to destroy tunnels.
The proposal was accepted by Hamas, with a spokesman stressing it was dependent on Israel reciprocating.
"Hamas and all the resistance movements have accepted a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire from 8:00am Friday which will be respected by all these movements if the other party also observes the ceasefire," Fawzi Barhum said
"Israel has accepted the US/UN proposal for a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire beginning 8:00am Friday (local time)," a source in the prime minister's office said.
Tunnel vision
The announcement came after the UN Security Council expressed "grave disappointment" that repeated calls for a truce had not been heeded, and demanded there be a series of humanitarian breaks to ease conditions for civilians trapped in the war-torn territory.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed he would "not accept any proposal" that did not allow the army to complete its work destroying the tunnels.
"Until now, we have destroyed dozens of terror tunnels and we are determined to finish this mission -- with or without a ceasefire," he said, with the army's top commander for the Gaza area saying troops were "just days" away from completing the mission.
Despite rising international concern over the civilian death toll in Gaza, Washington said it had agreed to restock Israel's dwindling munitions supplies.
The announcement came as the White House said there was little doubt that Israeli artillery was the source of a "totally indefensible" strike on a UN school in northern Gaza that killed 16 people on Wednesday.
The school was sheltering over 3,000 Palestinians made homeless by the relentless fighting which on Friday entered its 25th day.
"It does not appear there's a lot of doubt about whose artillery was involved in this incident," spokesman Josh Earnest said.
The Israeli army has suggested the deaths may have been the result of a misfired Palestinian rocket.
The European Union also condemned the hit on the school, saying it was "unacceptable" that those who had been forced out of their homes by the fighting - and at the request of the Israeli army - had been killed.
"These incidents must be investigated with immediate effect," it said.
With one in seven people of Gaza's population of 1.8 million people forced to flee their homes due to the intensive fighting, the UN agency for Palestinians refugees, which is sheltering almost all of them, warned it was stretched to breaking point.
"I believe the population is facing a precipice and appeal to the international community to take the steps necessary to address this extreme situation," UNRWA Commissioner General Pierre Krähenbühl told the Security Council.
There was no let-up Thursday in the bloodshed with at least 50 Palestinians killed, another 14 dying from injuries suffered in earlier attacks and a growing number of bodies pulled from under rubble in areas near Khan Yunis, medics said.
Eleven were killed in an Israeli air strike on a house in the central Gaza Strip's Nusseirat refugee camp, while three more were killed in night-time strikes in the south of the strip, and a body was recovered from rubble in the town of Khan Yunis
In Israel, 56 soldiers have died and Hamas rocket fire has killed three civilians, two Israelis and a Thai farmworker.
AFP
Thu Jul 31 2014
![Israel, Hamas accept 72-hour truce to begin early Friday Israel, Hamas accept 72-hour truce to begin early Friday](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-01/71359257956_295x200.jpg)
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.
![PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61714481430_TBNAIM.jpg)
PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus
PPZ-MAIWP mencatat kutipan zakat sebanyak RM511 juta dari Januari hingga Jun tahun ini dengan peningkatan sebanyak 10 peratus berbanding tempoh sama pada 2023.
![Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721130378_JohariAbdulGhani.jpg)
Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala
KPK akan mengadakan Misi Ekonomi Produk Agrikomoditi Malaysia ke India pada 17-18 Julai ini.
![Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41715247870_SohThianLaijpg.jpg)
Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM
Pemimpin perniagaan dan usahawan daripada golongan belia merupakan pemacu penting yang akan membentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia, kata Presiden Persekutuan Pekilang-Pekilang Malaysia.
AWANI Tonight: 16 July 2024
#AWANITonight with @Hafiz_Marzukhi
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
![9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober 9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81718630490_Smokerises.jpg)
9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober
9,318 pelajar terbunuh dan 14,671 lagi cedera di Semenanjung Gaza manakala di Tebing Barat, 103 pelajar terbunuh dan 505 lagi cedera.
![Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721142800_AirbusA.jpg)
Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun
Rangkaian penumpang Kumpulan SIA meliputi 125 destinasi setakat Jun dan rangkaian kargo terdiri daripada 129 destinasi.
![Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41716613114_TBsprm.jpg)
Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman
Kesemua individu juga perlu hadir ke pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) sebulan sekali untuk melaporkan diri.
![KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719822088_ZambryAbdKadir.jpg)
KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat
KPT mengalu-alukan cadangan PAC berhubung pelaksanaan dan pemakaian Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024, kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan kementerian itu.
![SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720679430_AbdulKarimRahman.jpg)
SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan
Sepak takraw wanita berpasukan berkemungkinan akan digugurkan daripada senarai acara temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2024 berikutan jumlah penyertaan kurang daripada jumlah minimum yang ditetapkan.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719354914_Destroyedbuildings.jpg)
Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB
Beliau berkata tahap pertempuran dan kemusnahan yang melampau di Gaza tidak dapat difahami dan tidak boleh dimaafkan.
![UAE hantar 3 tan bekalan perubatan ke Gaza UAE hantar 3 tan bekalan perubatan ke Gaza](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721032513_TBUAEGAZA.jpg)
UAE hantar 3 tan bekalan perubatan ke Gaza
Ia sebagai reaksi terhadap rayuan daripada sektor kesihatan, termasuk Hospital Nasser di Khan Younis yang menekankan keadaan kekurangan ubat-ubatan.
![Pengarah UNRWA di Gaza kongsi kisah mengerikan krisis perubatan Pengarah UNRWA di Gaza kongsi kisah mengerikan krisis perubatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721032150_tbNRWAGaza.jpg)
Pengarah UNRWA di Gaza kongsi kisah mengerikan krisis perubatan
Anderson berkata pasukan UNRWA dari komuniti kemanusiaan melakukan segala yang mungkin untuk meningkatkan kapasiti perubatan di Gaza.
![PM Anwar kecam cubaan bunuh Trump, serangan berterusan Israel di Gaza PM Anwar kecam cubaan bunuh Trump, serangan berterusan Israel di Gaza](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720938687_DonaldTrump.jpg)
PM Anwar kecam cubaan bunuh Trump, serangan berterusan Israel di Gaza
Beliau berharap keadaan terkawal dan menegaskan keganasan bukanlah jawapannya, walaupun ada yang menentang tokoh politik berkenaan.
![Jumlah korban di Gaza meningkat kepada 38,443, lebih 88,000 cedera Jumlah korban di Gaza meningkat kepada 38,443, lebih 88,000 cedera](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719354914_Destroyedbuildings.jpg)
Jumlah korban di Gaza meningkat kepada 38,443, lebih 88,000 cedera
Jumlah kematian rakyat Palestin akibat serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober telah meningkat kepada 38,443 orang, dengan 88,481 individu mengalami kecederaan.
![Gaza di ambang kehilangan seluruh generasi kanak-kanak - UNRWA Gaza di ambang kehilangan seluruh generasi kanak-kanak - UNRWA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720841141_tbRafah.jpg)
Gaza di ambang kehilangan seluruh generasi kanak-kanak - UNRWA
UNRWA memberi amaran Semenanjung Gaza di ambang kehilangan seluruh generasi kanak-kanak akibat serangan berterusan Israel sejak 7 Okt 2023.
![Hampir setengah juta orang di Gaza hadapi tahap kelaparan dahsyat - WFP Hampir setengah juta orang di Gaza hadapi tahap kelaparan dahsyat - WFP](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720498123_Palestinians.jpg)
Hampir setengah juta orang di Gaza hadapi tahap kelaparan dahsyat - WFP
Hampir setengah juta orang di Semenanjung Gaza menghadapi tahap kelaparan yang dahsyat, kata Program Makanan Sedunia (WFP).
![Netanyahu cuba halang gencatan senjata - Hamas Netanyahu cuba halang gencatan senjata - Hamas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719354914_Destroyedbuildings.jpg)
Netanyahu cuba halang gencatan senjata - Hamas
Hamas menggesa pengantara untuk campur tangan dan menghentikan "manipulasi dan jenayah" oleh Netanyahu.
![Jurang Israel dan Hamas kekal - White House Jurang Israel dan Hamas kekal - White House](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-02/51676342900_JohnKirby.jpg)
Jurang Israel dan Hamas kekal - White House
Pegawai kanan AS dilaporkan berada di Kaherah untuk rundingan bagi mencapai gencatan senjata antara Israel dan Hamas.
![Pegawai kanan Hamas terkorban dalam serangan Israel Pegawai kanan Hamas terkorban dalam serangan Israel](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720393880_IhabalGhussein.jpg)
Pegawai kanan Hamas terkorban dalam serangan Israel
Ehad Al-Ghussein dilantik Hamas untuk mentadbir kawasan Bandar Gaza dan bahagian utara bandar berkenaan tiga bulan lalu.