Israelis, Palestinians Begin New Truce | WPN World People News

Israel and Hamas have begun a new 72-hour cease-fire, giving the warring sides another chance to negotiate a lasting end to a month of fighting that has left 2,000 people dead.

Egypt mediated the truce that went into effect early Monday, and is hosting delegations from both sides for talks in Cairo.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the cease-fire, and expressed "strong hope" that Israel and Hamas could agree to halt the conflict for the sake of all civilians.

He also said the U.N. is ready to assist in implementing any agreement that brings peace and a chance for "much-needed reconstruction and development of Gaza."

An earlier 72-hour cease-fire expired Friday with no progress toward a longer-term truce. Egypt mediated that break in fighting as well, but it ended with Hamas resuming its rocket attacks on Israel and the Israeli military carrying out new airstrikes in Gaza.

Since July 8, more than 1,900 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, in an Israeli air and ground offensive to halt Hamas rocket attacks and destroy tunnels used by militants.

Sixty-four Israeli soldiers and three civilians have been killed.

Source: Voice of America