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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
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| Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza | Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza |
| (about 1 hour 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. |
| The US has welcomed the ceasefire, saying it "expects that all parties will cease attacks and hostile actions immediately". | The US has welcomed the ceasefire, saying it "expects that all parties will cease attacks and hostile actions immediately". |
| UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed relief, saying the ceasefire should be "the first step leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza". | UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed relief, saying the ceasefire should be "the first step leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza". |
| 'Goals achieved' | 'Goals achieved' |
| The Israeli prime minister's announcement came in a televised address following a late-night cabinet meeting. | The Israeli prime minister's announcement came in a televised address following a late-night cabinet meeting. |
| We feel the pain of every Palestinian child and family member who fell victim to the cruel reality created by Hamas Ehud OlmertIsraeli prime minister Excerpts: Olmert declares ceasefire Israel's "goals have been achieved, and even more", Mr Olmert said. | We feel the pain of every Palestinian child and family member who fell victim to the cruel reality created by Hamas Ehud OlmertIsraeli prime minister Excerpts: Olmert declares ceasefire 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. | 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 Hamas held fire, the military would "consider pulling out of Gaza at a time that befits us". | 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". |
| If militant rocket fire into Israel continued, Israel would respond with force, the Israeli leader added. | If militant rocket fire into Israel continued, Israel would respond with force, the Israeli leader added. |
| GAZA LATEST Ceasefire may not end warVoices from Gaza CityLebanese fear next stepSurvivors count losses in Rafah | |
| A Hamas spokesman, Fawzi Barhum, condemned the move. Hamas could not "accept the presence of a single [Israeli] soldier in Gaza", 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. |
| Israel must withdraw completely, lift its economic blockade of Gaza and open border crossings, the spokesman said. | 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. | 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 and several EU leaders, aimed at securing a permanent truce. | Egypt will on Sunday host a summit, attended by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, the UN chief and 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. | Minutes before Mr Olmert spoke, a rocket was fired from Gaza, a BBC producer in Gaza said. |
| 'War crime' | 'War crime' |
| The Israeli announcement came on the 22nd day of violence in Gaza. | The Israeli announcement came on the 22nd day of violence in Gaza. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYIf Hamas is not involved then the cease fire is agreed with whom?Khizar Mohammed, Mumbai, IndiaSend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYIf Hamas is not involved then the cease fire is agreed with whom?Khizar Mohammed, Mumbai, IndiaSend us your comments |
| Overnight Israel carried out more than 50 air strikes on Gaza, as Hamas rocket fire from the territory continued. | 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. | 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". | 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. | An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor, told the BBC that Israel was waiting for more information on what happened. |