A new 72-hour ceasefire has come into effect between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza.

It is hoped indirect talks to negotiate a lasting ceasefire can now resume.

In the hours leading up to the truce Israel launched an air strike on the house of Gaza’s mayor while Hamas militants fired rockets at Tel Aviv.

Egypt brokered a similar truce last week but fighting restarted after the three day lull ended. Today’s truce came as a surprise after a day of intense diplomacy.

Earlier a surveillance camera caught a rocket attack near the Kerem Shalom crossing. Israel has since closed the transit point which normally allows cargo such as medical supplies and cooking gas and fuel into Gaza.

In the West Bank town of Hebron hundreds attended a funeral for a Palestinian boy killed by Israeli forces during a rock-throwing protest.

Nearly 2,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began on July 8. Sixty-seven Israelis have also been killed most of them soldiers.