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Israel 'to announce ceasefire' Israel 'to announce ceasefire'
(30 minutes later)
The Israeli cabinet is set to back an end to offensive military activities in the Gaza Strip, three weeks after attacks began, the BBC understands.The Israeli cabinet is set to back an end to offensive military activities in the Gaza Strip, three weeks after attacks began, the BBC understands.
Israel's leaders are expected to approve a ceasefire at a meeting later on Saturday, after which PM Ehud Olmert will address the nation, sources said.Israel's leaders are expected to approve a ceasefire at a meeting later on Saturday, after which PM Ehud Olmert will address the nation, sources said.
The sources said the ceasefire deal did not involve Hamas.The sources said the ceasefire deal did not involve Hamas.
It is not clear how Hamas will respond; its officials say the group will ignore any truce unless its demands are met.It is not clear how Hamas will respond; its officials say the group will ignore any truce unless its demands are met.
Ahead of the move violence continued in Gaza, with 50 Israeli air strikes overnight. Rocket fire from Hamas militants also continued.Ahead of the move violence continued in Gaza, with 50 Israeli air strikes overnight. Rocket fire from Hamas militants also continued.
About 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis - three civilians and 10 soldiers - have been killed during the campaign. Nearly 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis - three civilians and 10 soldiers - have been killed during the campaign.
'H-Hour''H-Hour'
The Israeli move comes amid intense diplomacy aimed at ending the conflict.The Israeli move comes amid intense diplomacy aimed at ending the conflict.
Israeli sources told the BBC's Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen, that Mr Olmert would announce an end to offensive military operations from "H-Hour", the exact timing of which is not yet clear. GAZA LATEST Bowen diary: Is this the end?BBC reporter reaches RafahIn pictures: Gaza conflictVoices from Gaza CitySend us your commentsIsraeli sources told the BBC's Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen, that Mr Olmert would announce an end to offensive military operations from "H-Hour", the exact timing of which is not yet clear. GAZA LATEST Bowen diary: Is this the end?BBC reporter reaches RafahIn pictures: Gaza conflictVoices from Gaza CitySend us your comments
Mr Olmert was expected to link the move to Israel having achieved its goal of curtailing rocket fire from Hamas-linked militants, the sources said. In a televised address set for 2200 (2000 GMT), Mr Olmert was expected to link the move to Israel having achieved its goal of curtailing rocket fire from Hamas-linked militants, the sources said.
If rocket fire continued after "H-Hour", Israel would respond, the sources said. If there was a single incident, Israel would hit back "surgically". If there were more attacks Israel would go back on the offensive, they said. If rocket fire continued after "H-Hour", Israel would respond, the sources said.
The sources stressed that this was a unilateral action by Israel. How Hamas responds remains to be seen. If there was a single incident, Israel would hit back "surgically"; if there were more attacks Israel would go back on the offensive, they said.
The sources stressed that this was a unilateral action by Israel.
It follows pledges from the US and several European Union nations to help prevent arms smuggling into Gaza - one of Israel's key demands.
How Hamas responds remains to be seen. Its representatives have been attending talks hosted by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo.
Hamas insists that any ceasefire must involve Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza and an immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade.Hamas insists that any ceasefire must involve Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza and an immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade.
Earlier Osama Hemdan, the Hamas representative in Lebanon, told the AFP news agency: "As long as it [the Israeli military] remains in Gaza, resistance and confrontation will continue."
UN strikeUN strike
The announcement came on the 22nd day of violence in Gaza.The announcement came on the 22nd day of violence in Gaza.
United Nations officials said two children, aged five and seven, were killed when Israeli tank fire hit a UN school where hundreds had taken shelter in the northern town of Beit Lahiya. GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND In depth: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in mapsUnited Nations officials said two children, aged five and seven, were killed when Israeli tank fire hit a UN school where hundreds had taken shelter in the northern town of Beit Lahiya. GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND In depth: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps
John Ging, the Unrwa chief in Gaza, told the BBC that there was "nowhere safe in Gaza".John Ging, the Unrwa chief in Gaza, told the BBC that there was "nowhere safe in Gaza".
"I'm ashamed of this - there's international legal responsibility to protect civilians in conflict, and we're not doing it," Mr Ging said."I'm ashamed of this - there's international legal responsibility to protect civilians in conflict, and we're not doing it," Mr Ging said.
An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor, told the BBC that Israel was waiting for more information on what happened.An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor, told the BBC that Israel was waiting for more information on what happened.
The Israel military said Hamas fired seven rockets into Israel on Saturday; there were no casualties.The Israel military said Hamas fired seven rockets into Israel on Saturday; there were no casualties.