Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in and around Gaza, brokered by the Egyptian government. “Israel has accepted Egypt's proposals," prime minister Olmert’s spokesman Mark Regev said. The truce is due to come into effect in the early hours of Thursday. "It is our sincere hope that as of Thursday the population of southern Israel will no longer be victims of the constant rocket and mortar attacks by terrorists from the Gaza Strip", Regev told the Agence France Presse news agency.
In recent weeks, Israeli officials have repeatedly warned that while they hoped a ceasefire could be achieved, the military was ready to launch a major ground offensive should it fail. An envoy of defense minister Ehud Barak underlined that the two sides had reached "understandings with Egypt" rather than a formal accord. Speaking on public radio, the envoy, Amos Gilad, stressed that if anyone opens fire from the Gaza Strip, "it will be a violation of the understandings." President Shimon Peres said: "We could be surprised favorably," but added, "We have to wait and see."
Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya told reporters in Gaza City that the truce would initially last for six months. "Hamas accepted the truce offer proposed by Egypt which stipulates a reciprocal halt to all military operations from 06:00 [local time].
