Israel and Hamas have agreed to an unconditional 72-hour humanitarian
ceasefire in Gaza from 08:00 (05:00 GMT) on Friday, the US and UN say.
Since Israel began its offensive in Gaza on 8 July, 1,422 Palestinians
have been killed, most of them civilians, according to Gaza's health
ministry.
Fifty-six Israeli soldiers and two civilians have also died.
Israel says its operation in Gaza is designed to defend its population
from attacks by Palestinian militants.
"During this time the forces on the ground will remain in place," US
Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
said in a joint statement.
"We urge all parties to act with restraint until this humanitarian
ceasefire begins, and to fully abide by their commitments during the
ceasefire," the statement added.
"This ceasefire is critical to giving innocent civilians a much-needed
reprieve from violence," the statement went on.
A quarter of Gaza's population has been displaced by the fighting, the UN says.
-BBC
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