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Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire
(40 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.
The decision was taken following the return of a defence official, Amos Gilad, from Cairo, where he held talks with Egyptian mediators. Under the terms of the truce, which is set to begin on Thursday, Israel will ease its blockade on the Gaza Strip.
The truce is scheduled to begin at 0600 (0300 GMT) on Thursday. At the same time, talks to release an Israeli soldier held by Hamas will intensify, an Israeli official said.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, says it is confident all militants will abide by the agreement. Hamas, which controls Gaza, says it is confident that all militants will abide by the agreement.
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. Border crossings
Two-stage deal The decision to approve a ceasefire was made by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defence Minister Ehud Barak following the return of a defence official from Cairo, where he held talks with Egyptian mediators.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defence Minister Ehud Barak approved the ceasefire agreement with Hamas overnight after they were briefed by Mr Gilad on his return from Cairo, Israel Radio said. The truce is scheduled to begin at 0600 (0300 GMT) on Thursday.
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 reopening of Rafah crossing What chance of lasting peace? 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 What chance of lasting peace?
The station said Mr Gilad had received assurances from Egypt that Hamas accepted all of Israel's conditions for the truce. "Thursday will be the beginning, we hope, of a new reality where Israeli citizens in the south will no longer be on the receiving end of continuous rocket attacks," government spokesman Mark Regev said.
As well as a halt to all hostilities on Thursday morning, the deal envisages a partial reopening of Gaza's borders. "Israel is giving a serious chance to this Egyptian initiative and we want it to succeed," he added.
A second stage would focus on the return of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and on a deal to reopen the Rafah crossing into Egypt. According to a breakdown of the deal released by Hamas, Israel will ease its restrictions on Gaza crossings with Israel on Friday morning, followed by the bigger commercial crossings next week.
An Israeli security source told Israel Radio that the negotiations on Cpl Shalit's release were expected to resume with a few days. After two weeks, talks will start involving Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and the EU on reopening the Rafah crossing into Egypt.
An Israeli security source told Israel Radio that negotiations on the return of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit were expected to resume with a few days.
He said that if progress was achieved, Israel would have to reach a decision regarding the release of Palestinian prisoners.He said that if progress was achieved, Israel would have to reach a decision regarding the release of Palestinian prisoners.
As part of the deal, Egypt has also committed to stop the smuggling of arms and weapons from its territory into Gaza, Israeli officials said.