This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7835794.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza
(41 minutes later)
Israel is to halt its three-week military offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said.Israel is to halt its three-week military offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said.
He said Israel had achieved its aims and the unilateral ceasefire would start at 0200 (2400 GMT). But he said troops would remain in Gaza for now.He said Israel had achieved its aims and the unilateral ceasefire would start at 0200 (2400 GMT). But he said troops would remain in Gaza for now.
A Hamas spokesman said it would not accept one Israeli soldier in Gaza.A Hamas spokesman said it would not accept one Israeli soldier in Gaza.
Nearly 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis have died.Nearly 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis have died.
Minutes before Mr Olmert was due to speak, a rocket was fired from Gaza, a BBC producer in Gaza said. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed relief at the ceasefire.
"This should be the first step leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza," he said. This should happen "as soon as possible", he added.
The US said it expected all parties to cease hostilities immediately.
'Goals achieved''Goals achieved'
The Israeli prime minister's announcement came in a televised address following a late-night cabinet meeting. GAZA LATEST Bowen diary: Is this the end?In pictures: Gaza conflictVoices from Gaza CitySend us your comments The Israeli prime minister's announcement came in a televised address following a late-night cabinet meeting. GAZA LATEST Bowen diary: Is this the end?In pictures: Gaza conflictVoices from Gaza CitySend us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7835804.stm">Survivors count losses in Rafah
Israel's "goals have been achieved, and even more", Mr Olmert said, with Hamas badly damaged both militarily and in terms of infrastructure. Israel's "goals have been achieved, and even more", Mr Olmert said.
Hamas was badly damaged both militarily and in terms of government infrastructure; rocket factories and dozens of smuggling tunnels had been destroyed, he said.
But the success of the ceasefire depended on Hamas, he said.But the success of the ceasefire depended on Hamas, he said.
Troops would remain in Gaza for the time being and if militant rocket fire into Israel continued, Israel would respond with force, he said. Troops would remain in Gaza for the time being and if Hamas held fire, the military would "consider pulling out of Gaza at a time that befits us".
A Hamas spokesman, Fawzi Barhum, said the group could not "accept the presence of a single [Israeli] soldier in Gaza". If militant rocket fire into Israel continued, Israel would respond with force, the Israeli leader added.
Israel must withdraw completely, lift its economic blockade of Gaza and open border crossings, he said. A Hamas spokesman, Fawzi Barhum, condemned the move. Hamas could not "accept the presence of a single [Israeli] soldier in Gaza", he said. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYIf Hamas is not involved then the cease fire is agreed with whom?Khizar Mohammed, Mumbai, India class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5924&edition=2&ttl=20090117191457">Send us your comments
Hamas representatives have been taking part in talks in Cairo, brokered by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, aimed at reaching a bilateral truce. Israel must withdraw completely, lift its economic blockade of Gaza and open border crossings, the spokesman said.
Hamas representatives have been taking part in talks in Cairo, brokered by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, aimed at reaching a bilateral deal.
Egypt will on Sunday host a summit, attended by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, the UN chief as well as several EU leaders, aimed at securing a permanent truce.
Minutes before Mr Olmert spoke, a rocket was fired from Gaza, a BBC producer in Gaza said.
'War crime'
The Israeli announcement came on the 22nd day of violence in Gaza.
GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND In depth: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps
Overnight Israel carried out more than 50 air strikes on Gaza, as Hamas rocket fire from the territory continued.
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.
Chris Gunness, a spokesman for the UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), said an investigation was needed "to determine whether a war crime has been committed".
An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor, told the BBC that Israel was waiting for more information on what happened.