Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour pause in their conflict, which will begin at 8am on Friday, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and US secretary of state John Kerry announced.

Ban and Kerry said in their joint statement that the ceasefire would give “innocent civilians a much-needed reprieve from violence” and would allow civilians to “bury the dead, care for the injured, and restock food supplies”.

However, “forces on the ground will remain in place”, during the ceasefire meaning that Israel will not withdraw its military.

“We urge all parties to act with restraint until this humanitarian ceasefire begins, and to fully abide by their commitments during the ceasefire,” the two diplomats said.

“This ceasefire is critical to giving innocent civilians a much-needed reprieve from violence. During this period, civilians in Gaza will receive urgently needed humanitarian relief, and the opportunity to carry out vital functions, including burying the dead, taking care of the injured, and restocking food supplies. Overdue repairs on essential water and energy infrastructure could also continue during this period.”

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that the they would abide by the ceasefire.

Israeli government has accepted the proposal for a three-day humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza Strip, Reuters reported citing the statement of an official of the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The death toll raised to 1,435 and according to local NGOs and UN up to 80% of Palestinian casualties were civilians, mainly little children, whereas the conflict cost the life of 56 Israeli soldiers and three civilians.