More than 100 Palestinians reported killed in hours after ceasefire agreed

More than 100 Palestinians in Gaza including 50 from one family - were reported killed yesterday as Israeli forces continued attacking from land, sea and air hours after the agreement for a ceasefire to begin today.

- Dan Sabbagh, Ruth Michaelson

Wafa, a Palestinian news agency, said 81 people had been killed since midnight as houses were targeted in the centre of the strip. A further 60 were believed to be dead after bombing in and around the Jabaliya refugee camp in the north.

Riyad al-Maliki, the Palestinian foreign minister, said while on a visit to London that 52 of the victims at Jabaliya were from the Qadoura family. "I have the list of the names, 52 of them, they were wiped out completely from grandfather to grandchildren," he said.

Bombing was also reported at the Nuseirat refugee camp, killing nine people. Casualty figures are difficult to verify given the ongoing fighting, although initial reports often turn out to be underestimates until those missing are accounted for.

The ceasefire was expected to begin at 10am today while Israel completes formalities, including notifying which 300 Palestinian prisoners it could release. An initial 150 are expected to be freed in the four days, in return for the release of 50 hostages held by Hamas and other groups.