Palestinian officials say 17 Palestinians, including 10 members of one family, were killed in > Israeli strikes ahead of a planned three-day ceasefire in the Gaza war.
The ceasefire was to take effect at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Friday, under a deal brokered by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the United Nations. During the lull, Egypt is to host indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo on a more durable truce.
More than 1,450 Palestinians have been killed since July 8, officials say. Israel has lost 61 soldiers and three civilians.
