12-hour ceasefire begins in Gaza

Israeli army and Hamas agreed to humanitarian truce requested by the United Nations after several efforts including US offer for truce failed.

Hamas has emphasized that all Palestinian factions would abide by the brief truce. Israeli army spokesperson said it would hold fire for 12 hours, but would press on with its search for tunnels they say Hamas has dug into Israeli occupied lands for alleged infiltrations.

Gaza Health Ministry said 18 members of al-Najar family trapped inside their house since Thursday, were killed by Israeli tank shelling in the southern Gaza Strip shortly before the truce took effect at 5:00 GMT.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway in Paris where officials from US, UK, Germany, Italy, EU, Turkey, Qatar and hosting France discuss to secure a ceasefire.

Hamas says it would accept a ceasefire only if an illegal Israeli-Egyptian blockade of Gaza is removed. Gaza has been under siege since 2007 after Hamas won the Palestinian legislative election in 2006.

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