Gaza crisis: UN announces Israel and Hamas ceasefire

Israel and Hamas have agreed an unconditional 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza from 08:00 (05:00 GMT) on Friday, the US and UN say.

Stephane Dujarric read a statement by US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in which they called the move the first step to a "durable ceasefire"

Since Israel began its offensive in Gaza on 8 July, 1,422 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Fifty-six Israeli soldiers and two civilians have also died.