Israel, Hamas Agree On 72-Hour Humanitarian Gaza Ceasefire -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Israel and Islamist militant group Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire in their conflict in the Gaza Strip starting on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday.
The ceasefire will begin at 8 a.m. local time (1.00 a.m. EDT) on Aug. 1, they said in a joint statement. The statement said "forces on the ground will remain in place" during the truce, implying that Israeli ground forces will not withdraw.
U.N. Middle East envoy Robert Serry has received assurances that all parties have agreed to the humanitarian ceasefire, the statement said.
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MIDDLE EAST
U.S., U.N. announce deal
on Gaza cease-fire.
UN urges respect
of its Gaza facilities.
Israel vows to
destroy Hamas tunnels. Israel vows to destroy tunnels
before truce.
US supplies Israel with bombs
amid Gaza blitz.
Israeli polls show
overwhelming support for Gaza campaign.
With Mideast in turmoil,
Palestinians feel less backing.
Turkey fears ISIL radicalism
could spill over from Syria, Iraq.
Iraqi Kurds, battling Islamist threat,
press Washington for arms.
Syrian city of Homs shows signs of life
amid moonscape of devastation.
Hezbollah man dies on
'jihad duty' in Iraq.
Six judges accused of leading role in
Iranian crackdown on free speech.
Iranian President Rouhani:
‘This festering Zionist tumor has opened once again’.
Kurdish oil cargo unloaded at sea,
destination a mystery.
ASIA
China urges US not
to interfere in sovereignty.
Taiwan gas blast kills 15, injures 243:
local media.
India's demands block
$1 trillion WTO deal on customs rules.
India, U.S. stress strategic ties
but tensions remain.
Asia on alert
for Ebola outbreak.
Deadly clashes leave dozens killed, injured
in China’s restless Xinjiang.
Afghan vote audit resumes Saturday,
but troubles remain.
Thai junta gives security
forces majority in interim legislature.
U.S. imposes sanctions on North Korean companies
linked to Cuban arms shipment.
India says U.S. snooping
'completely unacceptable'.
AFRICA
US-trained Somali commandos
fight Al-Shabab.
U.S. issues travel warnings for
three Ebola-hit African countries.
Ebola crisis: WHO to announce
$100m emergency response.
Sierra Leone declares emergency
as Ebola death toll hits 729.
Sierra Leone declares a public emergency over Ebola and orders troops to quarantine infected areas as doctors
say the virus is 'absolutely out of control'.
Town vs. town, faction vs. faction as
Libya descends into 'hurricane'.
Libya Islamic militias
declare control of Benghazi.
Heavy shelling, clashes
resume in Libya's Tripoli. Heavy shelling, clashes
resume in Libya's Tripoli.
Thousands flee to Tunisia
to escape Libya fighting.
South Sudan talks on
interim government delayed.
Kenya charges nine foreigners
over 377-kg heroin haul.
African small farmers could be key
to ending food insecurity.
EUROPE
Russia's top general says Moscow committed
to nuclear missile treaty.
Dutch, Australian experts reach
MH17 crash site for 1st time. Foreign investigators reach
MH17 crash site in Ukraine.
Ukrainian parliament declines resignation
of Prime Minister Yatsenyuk. Ukraine's parliament
refuses PM resignation.
Ukraine’s parliament introduces
1.5% military tax.
EU adopts toughest Russian sanctions yet,
targets five Russian banks.
Marine Le Pen could knock out Socialists
in French president race: poll.
Snowden's temporary asylum
status expires in Russia.
Inquiry into death of ex-Russian agent
Litvinenko opens in London.
AMERICAS
Boehner warns on unilateral
immigration action by Obama.
CIA admits to
hacking Senate computers. CIA admits to spying
on Senate staffers.
House clears way for
lawsuit against Obama.
Argentina blames US,
'incompetent' judge for default. Argentina declared in default
by S&P as talks fail.
Frustrated by rebels, Colombia's President
calls emergency security meeting.
Venezuela seeks buyer for
Citgo Petroleum refinery unit.
Deal to stop migrants
from boarding La Bestia train.
China slams Canada for
'irresponsible' hacking accusations.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Norway calls off terror alert,
no longer sees imminent Islamist attack.
What does four decades of terrorism
in the U.S. look like? (Commentary)
ISIS is using an all-women brigade
to enforce sharia law in Syria.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi:
Islamic State's driving force.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
S&P500 index posts worst fall since April;
indexes down for July.
US banks braced for
large deposit outflows.
Russia ordered to pay $2.5bn
to Yukos shareholders.
Adidas scales back in Russia
and issues profit warning.
