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Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire
(10 minutes later)
Israel has approved a ceasefire to end months of bitter clashes with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza, Israeli officials have confirmed.Israel has approved a ceasefire to end months of bitter clashes with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza, Israeli officials have confirmed.
Under the terms of the truce, which is set to begin on Thursday, Israel will ease its blockade on the Gaza Strip.Under the terms of the truce, which is set to begin on Thursday, Israel will ease its blockade on the Gaza Strip.
At the same time, talks to release an Israeli soldier held by Hamas would intensify, an Israeli official said.At the same time, talks to release an Israeli soldier held by Hamas would intensify, an Israeli official said.
Later, Israel said it was also interested in direct, bilateral talks with Lebanon.Later, Israel said it was also interested in direct, bilateral talks with Lebanon.
Rocket attacksRocket attacks
Hamas, which controls Gaza, says it is confident that all militants will abide by the truce.Hamas, which controls Gaza, says it is confident that all militants will abide by the truce.
The agreement is due to begin at 0600 (0300 GMT) on Thursday and is supposed to last six months.The agreement is due to begin at 0600 (0300 GMT) on Thursday and is supposed to last six months.
Hamas seized control of Gaza in June 2007, driving out forces loyal to Fatah, the political faction led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.Hamas seized control of Gaza in June 2007, driving out forces loyal to Fatah, the political faction led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Since then, Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the international community have sought to isolate Hamas.Since then, Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the international community have sought to isolate Hamas.
GAZA TRUCE TIMETABLE 0600 (0300 GMT) Thursday ceasefire beginsAfter 24 hours, Israel eases crossing restrictionsAfter five days, Israel opens commercial crossingsAfter two weeks, Egypt starts talks with all sides to seek re-opening of Rafah crossing Timely Gaza truce to test partiesPress: Gaza truce is Hamas victorySend us your commentsGAZA TRUCE TIMETABLE 0600 (0300 GMT) Thursday ceasefire beginsAfter 24 hours, Israel eases crossing restrictionsAfter five days, Israel opens commercial crossingsAfter two weeks, Egypt starts talks with all sides to seek re-opening of Rafah crossing Timely Gaza truce to test partiesPress: Gaza truce is Hamas victorySend us your comments
For Hamas, the ceasefire agreement is an acknowledgement that Israel's economic blockade of Gaza is hurting its administration and is having a hugely detrimental impact on Gaza's population, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem.For Hamas, the ceasefire agreement is an acknowledgement that Israel's economic blockade of Gaza is hurting its administration and is having a hugely detrimental impact on Gaza's population, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem.
The US gave a cautious welcome to the truce. The White House gave a cautious welcome to the truce with a spokesman saying he hoped it would lead Hamas to "give up terrorism".
White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said: "Hamas has to choose to become a legitimate political party and give up terrorism. They can't continue to do both."
The decision to approve the ceasefire was made by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defence Minister Ehud Barak. It followed the return of a defence official from Cairo, where talks were held with Egyptian mediators.The decision to approve the ceasefire was made by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defence Minister Ehud Barak. It followed the return of a defence official from Cairo, where talks were held with Egyptian mediators.
The truce should bring an end to rocket attacks from within Gaza and ease the humanitarian situation inside the Palestinian territory. Mr Olmert made his first public comment about the truce on Wednesday to express his hope that it would succeed.
But there are still many obstacles to long-term peace, with both sides warning that the truce will collapse if it is violated, our correspondent says. But he added: "We should not have illusions. The terror organisations, and Hamas among them, have not changed their goals... to hit innocent Israeli civilians."
Israeli radio said that eight rockets had been fired from Gaza towards Israel on Wednesday. Earlier, Israeli Radio said eight rockets had been fired from Gaza towards Israel on Wednesday.
Hamas says Israel will ease its Gaza border restrictions under the dealHamas says Israel will ease its Gaza border restrictions under the deal
Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said Israel was ready for talks with Lebanon, and it would consider "every issue of contention", including a dispute over the Shebaa Farms, currently occupied by Israel.Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said Israel was ready for talks with Lebanon, and it would consider "every issue of contention", including a dispute over the Shebaa Farms, currently occupied by Israel.
Separately, Israel and Syria have been holding indirect peace talks, mediated by Turkey.Separately, Israel and Syria have been holding indirect peace talks, mediated by Turkey.
A breakthrough in those talks could bolster Mr Olmert at home, where he faces a corruption scandal, correspondents say.A breakthrough in those talks could bolster Mr Olmert at home, where he faces a corruption scandal, correspondents say.
According to a breakdown of the deal released by Hamas, Israel will ease its restrictions for the trade of certain goods between Gaza and Israel on Friday morning, and open up the crossings for all commercial goods next week.According to a breakdown of the deal released by Hamas, Israel will ease its restrictions for the trade of certain goods between Gaza and Israel on Friday morning, and open up the crossings for all commercial goods next week.
After two weeks, talks will start involving Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and the EU on reopening the Rafah crossing into Egypt.After two weeks, talks will start involving Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and the EU on reopening the Rafah crossing into Egypt.
The Israeli government said that it would give the truce a chanceThe Israeli government said that it would give the truce a chance
An Israeli security source told Israel Radio that negotiations on the return of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit were expected to resume within a few days.An Israeli security source told Israel Radio that negotiations on the return of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit were expected to resume within a few days.
Confirmation of the truce coincided with the publication of a new UN report on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.Confirmation of the truce coincided with the publication of a new UN report on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The UN said power cuts and fuel shortages meant that more than half of Gaza's population had access to water only every other day, while a quarter received it only every four days.The UN said power cuts and fuel shortages meant that more than half of Gaza's population had access to water only every other day, while a quarter received it only every four days.