Hamas Agrees To New 24-Hour Truce In Gaza

Fighting in Gaza appears to have eased after Hamas said it was taking part in another 24-hour ceasefire.

Israel accused the militant group of breaking its own truce agreement and has made no public commitment to a break in the conflict.

The truce, which comes ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid marking the end of Ramadan, started at 2pm local time (noon UK time).

Israel had resumed its offensive in Gaza after a fragile ceasefire

But in a series of interviews with US media, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of  "violating its own ceasefire."

He told CBS Israel he would not allow a "ruthless terror organisation... to decide when it's convenient for them to stop for a moment, rearm, and continue firing on our citizens and our people."

In a separate interview with CNN, he said Israel "will take what ever action is necessary to protect our people".

As the truce deadline came and went the sound of Israeli shelling could be heard in Gaza, and sirens sounded in Israel close to the border suggesting missiles had indeed been fired by militants.

A Palestinian man mourns the death of his relative in the Gaza conflict

More than 1,060 Palestinians have died since Israel launched a military operation more than two weeks ago.

The number of Israeli troops to die in combat has risen to 43. Three civilians have also been killed in Israel, including a Thai national.

The latest ceasefire came hours after the Israeli military resumed fighting in Gaza after accusing Hamas of violating a humanitarian truce on Saturday night.

In a statement the Israeli military said: "Following Hamas' incessant rocket fire throughout the humanitarian window, which was agreed upon for the welfare of the civilian population in Gaza, the (army) will now resume its aerial, naval and ground activity in the Gaza Strip."

Palestinian medics said at least 10 people were killed in subsequent Israeli strikes, including an elderly woman.

Both sides initially agreed to a 12-hour humanitarian ceasefire on Saturday. Some 132 bodies were reportedly pulled from the rubble in Gaza during the lull in fighting, while the pause allowed Palestinians to stock up on supplies.

Hamas rocket fire saw Israel end its truce and launch a wave of strikes

Israel extended the ceasefire until midnight (10pm UK time) on Sunday at the UN's request, on condition its forces could continue to seek out and destroy militant tunnels that criss-cross the Gaza border.

That truce offer was rejected by Hamas, which has demanded that Israel lifts its blockade on Gaza and release Palestinian prisoners.

Meanwhile, international efforts are continuing to try and thrash out a more permanent ceasefire.

And the Pope made an emotional plea for peace in his weekly address in St Peter's Square.

In unscripted remarks, Pope Francis said: "Please stop, I ask you with all my heart, it's time to stop. Stop, please."

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