Israel confirms Hamas ceasefire
Wednesday, 18 Jun 2008 19:39
Israel confirms ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza Strip; expected to last six months and begin tomorrow
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Israel and Hamas have agreed an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire after months of negotiations, it was announced on Wednesday.
A spokesman for the Jewish state's government confirmed prime minister Ehud Olmert and defence minister Ehud Barak had approved the truce.
"Israel has accepted Egypt's proposals," said chief spokesman Mark Regev.
But Mr Regev warned any violation of the ceasefire on Hamas' part would see Israeli troops deployed in Gaza immediately.
On Tuesday a senior Hamas official provisionally announced the ceasefire, which is expected to last six months and begin tomorrow morning (04:00 BST).
Speaking to journalists in Washington, US state department spokesman Tom Casey said the terms of the ceasefire did not meet the demands of the Middle East Quartet.
"Nor those of [Palestinian] president [Mahmoud] Abbas for the reincorporation of Hamas into the Palestinian political process," he continued.
News of the deal came on the same day six Palestinian gunmen were killed in an Israeli air-strike.
Hamas - classified as a terrorist group by the west - and the Jewish state have been involved in daily clashes since the Islamic organisation gained control of Gaza last year.