Israeli airstrike kills 8 Palestinians in Gaza

Israel, Hamas agree on 72-hr humanitarian Gaza ceasefire

GAZA - An Israeli airstrike killed on early Friday eight Palestinians in the Gaza city of Khanyounis, medical sources said.

The sources told Xinhua that an Israeli warplane targeted a house in Khanyuonis, killing eight people and injuring 10 others.

The incident came just hours after Israel and Gaza-ruling Hamas movement agreed to a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire proposed by the United Nations. The truce will start at 8:00 am local time (0500 GMT).

Since Israel launched offensives on Gaza on July 8, 1458 Palestinians have been killed and more than 8000 others injured. 56 Israelis, including 53 soldiers, were also killed.

Israel said its operations are aimed at ending Palestinian rocket firing into Israel.

Regional and international efforts to end the ongoing fighting between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza have been going on unabated.