July 31, 2014- Secretary of State John Kerry early Friday announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour humanitarian cease-fire in the Gaza Strip conflict. “The United Nations Representative in Jerusalem, Special Coordinator Robert Serry, has received assurances that all parties have agreed to an unconditional humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza,” Mr. Kerry said in a joint statement with Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary General. Mr. Kerry was in New Delhi when he made the announcement.
This cease-fire is to begin at 8 a.m. local time on Friday. It will last for 72 hours unless it is extended.
“During this time the forces on the ground will remain in place,” said the announcement, meaning that Israeli troops who have entered Gaza can remain. As soon as it takes hold, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will head to Cairo for talks. ...
Shortly after the announcement, word came from Hamas confirming that it was in agreement. “In response to the United Nations call and due to the circumstances of our people,” said the statement by Izzat al-Risheq, a Hamas official based in Lebanon, “the Palestinian resistance factions agree on a mutual humanitarian truce starting at 8 a.m. Friday, as long as the other side is committed to it.”
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Posted By: Jeni Fa
Thursday, July 31st 2014 at 9:03PM
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