A new 72-hour ceasefire has come into effect between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza. <br /><br />It is hoped indirect talks to negotiate a lasting ceasefire can now resume.<br /><br />In the hours leading up to the truce Israel launched an air strike on the house of Gaza’s mayor while Hamas militants fired rockets at Tel Aviv.<br /><br />Egypt brokered a similar truce last week but fighting restarted after the three day lull ended. Today’s truce came as a surprise after a day of intense diplomacy.<br /><br />Earlier a surveillance camera caught a rocket attack near the Kerem Shalom crossing. Israel has since closed the transit point which normally allows cargo such as medical supplies and cooking gas and fuel into Gaza.<br /><br />In the West Bank town of Hebron hundreds attended a funeral for a Palestinian boy killed by Israeli forces during a rock-throwing protest.<br /><br />Nearly 2,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began on July 8. Sixty-seven Israelis have also been killed most of them soldiers.
