Israel, Hamas agree to temporary ceasefire, Palestinian death toll reaches 230

GAZA CITY: Israel and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas agreed to observe a five-hour ceasefire in the Gaza strip on Thursday after the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made the demand so that Gaza residents could receive food supplies.

In a statement, the Israeli military said that it would stop attacks from 10:00 to 15:00 local time on Thursday to allow residents in Gaza to stock up on supplies. Hamas also announced to halt attacks.

The ceasefire was agreed after four Palestinian children were killed by an airstrike while playing football on a Gaza beach.

A total of 230 Palestinians have been killed so far in Israeli attacks on the Gaza strip.