Truce Extended As Gaza Death Toll Tops 1,000

Israel has agreed to extend a 12-hour "humanitarian" truce in Gaza by four hours as the Palestinian death toll reached 1,000.

It comes as world leaders continue their attempt to thrash out a wider ceasefire in Paris. 

Parts of Gaza came under heavy bombardment minutes before the break in hostilities at 8am (6am UK time), with Israeli shells killing 18 members of a Palestinian family, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The Al Najar family had apparently been trapped in their house in Khuzaa village for two days when the shells hit.

A Palestinian woman stands outside destroyed homes in Shejaia, Gaza

Doctors in Gaza said 85 bodies have been pulled from rubble since the ceasefire started, taking the number of Palestinians killed in 19 days of violence to more than 1,000.

Three Israeli soldiers were also killed in combat prior to the ceasefire, meaning 40 military personnel have died since their operation began on July 8. A total of three civilians have been killed by rocket fire into Israel.

Israel is reportedly continuing its search of Hamas tunnels during the truce - though both sides have so far observed a break in fire.

Gaza's northern district of Beit Hanun photographed during the ceasefire

An unnamed Israeli official confirmed they would now observe the truce until 12am (10pm UK time).

He said: "As far as Israel is concerned, there is no reason to prevent Gaza's people from stocking up on supplies, so long as the military can continue its work against the tunnels. Our war is not against the population."

US Secretary of State John Kerry remains "confident progress can be made" on a seven-day truce that would "bring people together to create a more durable plan".

However, on Friday evening Israel's defence minister told troops: "You need to be ready for the possibility that very soon we will instruct the military to significantly broaden the ground operation in Gaza."

John Kerry and his counterparts are in Paris for talks

Mr Kerry is in Paris for talks with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and other counterparts from Europe, Turkey and Qatar.

Mr Hammond said the focus was to negotiate an extension to the 12-hour ceasefire before trying to find a long-term solution to the crisis.

Earlier, Mr Kerry told a news conference in Cairo a "fundamental framework" for peace was in place and that it would "ultimately succeed".

"The world is watching tragic moment after tragic moment unfold and is wondering when everybody is going to come to their senses," said Mr Kerry.

A map showing the areas of conflict and violence

An unnamed source from the Israeli government said they were seeking modifications as the truce proposal "leans too much towards Hamas demands".

In London, anti-war protesters marched from the Israeli embassy to the Houses of Parliament today.

Similar protests are taking place in France and Germany.

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