Turkish media are reporting breaking news that the Israeli government has announced that it will agree to a six hour ceasefire after the UN requested one for humanitrarian reasons.
When the ceasefire will begin is not clear. (see below)
As living conditions in Gaza have seriously deteriorated the UN has requested a ceasefire so that supplies, especially medical supplies, can be sent into Gaza.
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The Turkish semi-official news agency Anadolu Agency (AA) has reported in English via Twitter that Hamas has also agreed to the ceasefire.
https://twitter.com/...
AA has also confirmed it in a Turkish article.
http://www.aa.com.tr/...
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Aljazeera is reporting Israel has agreed to a five hour ceasefire tomorrow from 10:00am to 3:00pm. AJ also reports that the UN has the asked armed groups in Gaza to reciprocate.
Update: Aljazeera followed up by reporting that Hamas has also agreed to the ceasefire.
In a statement in response, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said: "The group agrees to a ceasefire for five hours," starting from 10:00 am (0700 GMT) on Thursday.
At least 223 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,600 others injured in nine days of incessant bombardment by Israel on the Gaza Strip.
Hospitals in the city were running out of medical supplies and the Red Cross has warned of acute water shortages.
http://www.aljazeera.com/...
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Yesterday the UNRWA declared an emergency in Gaza:
15 July 2014 | Issue No.7
Due to the dramatic escalation in violence over the past week and the massive assault on Gaza, UNRWA has declared an emergency in all five areas of the Gaza Strip. The priority for the Agency is its emergency operations, providing assistance to those who have been displaced and sought shelter in UNRWA schools, while attempting to continue regular operations.
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As previously reported, the public health sector in Gaza is nearing collapse. To add to this burden, during the past 24 hours, an increased disruption to the functionality of UNRWA health centres in Gaza was reported, and one Health Centre in the Middle Area of the Strip reported damage to its water tanks.
UNRWA staff are working hard to maintain clean and hygienic shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Over the past 24 hours, there were some cases of Viral Meningitis reported at three shelters in the North Area of Gaza. It is reported that all thirteen cases were referred to a local hospital and there have been no complications regarding treatment. It is understood that each patient had the disease prior to entering the shelter. UNRWA staff are taking all precautionary measures to ensure that the risk of the disease spreading is mitigated. This includes cleanliness of shelters, staff awareness activities and the issuing of public information leaflets.
http://www.unrwa.org/...
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English media:
Israel has agreed to hold a five-hour cease-fire to allow UN humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said.
The UN on Wednesday asked Israel for a unilateral pause, a UN official told Al Jazeera, as renewed air strikes on the enclave threatened a major humanitarian crisis.
The military said Israel has decided that "between 1000 (0700 GMT) and 1500 (1200 GMT) the Israeli military will cease operational activity with the Gaza Strip and hold its fire".
http://www.aljazeera.com/...
Israel has reportedly accepted plea for a six-hour "humanitarian pause" to fighting in Gaza brokered by the United Nations.
Israel has agreed to accept a six-hour cease-fire at the behest of United Nations Special Coordinator Robert Serry so that humanitarian aid can be delivered to Gaza, Haaretz reports.
A spokesperson at the United Nations told TIME the cease-fire is a temporary “humanitarian pause” which would not prejudice larger efforts to bring a cease-fire to the region
http://time.com/...