Overnight, in New Delhi, US Secretary of State John Kerry announced a 72-hour humanitarian truce in the conflict between Israel and the Hamas terror organization in the Gaza Strip. The truce agreement specifically recognizes Israel's right to continue destroying Hamas tunnels in the areas in which the IDF is currently operating. The Palestinians will be able "to treat their wounded and bury their dead." The truce came into force at 8:00 am Israel time today.
“Israeli and Palestinian delegations will immediately be going to Cairo for negotiations with the Government of Egypt, at the invitation of Egypt, aimed at reaching a durable ceasefire. The parties will be able to raise all issues of concern in these negotiations. We urge all parties to act with restraint until this humanitarian ceasefire begins, and to fully abide by their commitments during the ceasefire," the joint announcement by Kerry and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said. Kerry told reporters in New Delhi, "We hope that this moment of opportunity will be grabbed by the parties, but no one can force them to do that, obviously."
Meanwhile, the IDF has announced that five Israeli soldiers were killed by a mortar shell that landed on a staging post in the Eshkol region next to the Gaza Strip yesterday. Eight soldiers were wounded in the incident. 61 Israeli officers and men have now been killed since Operation Protective Edge began.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 1, 2014
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