Israel, armed groups in Gaza agree to ceasefire, Palestinian officials say

Flames rise, following an Israeli air strike in Gaza

Flames rise, following an Israeli air strike in Gaza May 3, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa Acquire Licensing Rights

JERUSALEM, May 3 (Reuters) - Israel and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza agreed to a ceasefire early on Wednesday, two Palestinian officials said, after the death of a Palestinian hunger striker in Israeli custody a day earlier sparked cross-border exchanges of fire.

The "reciprocal and simultaneous" ceasefire went into effect at 3:30 a.m. (0030 GMT) and was brought about with efforts from Egyptian, Qatari and United Nations officials, the sources told Reuters.

Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Writing by Henriette Chacar Editing by Shri Navaratnam

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