Egypt: Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire

Deutsche Welle, 21 November 2012

Egypt has announced a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel after eight days of fighting. Israel has agreed to the move. Hamas' leadership is expected to reply soon.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr made the announcement Wednesday evening in Cairo as he stood next to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The ceasefire is to take effect at 1900 GMT. "It will come into effect at nine Cairo time," Amr said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the deal in Jerusalem, agreeing to "give it a chance."

"A short while ago Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with [US] President Barack Obama and agreed to his recommendation to give a chance to an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire and thereby give an opportunity for the stabilisation of the situation and a calming of it," a statement from Netanyahu's office said.

"There is no substitute for a just and lasting peace," said Clinton at the Cairo press conference. "The US and Egypt will work together to support the next step."

Clinton added that the US would work with other countries in the region to "provide security for Israel and improve conditions for people in Gaza."

The AP news agency quoted an unnamed Palestinian official as saying Israel would cease all military activity against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and Palestinian militants would cease rocket attacks into Israel. After 24 hours of quiet, Gaza's border crossings with Israel would open to allow the freer movement of goods and people.

Response awaited from Hamas leader

The news agency AFP quoted Hamas sources as saying that Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal was due to give a press conference in Cairo following Egypt's announcement.

The White House, according to another AP dispatch, said the United States would use the opportunity offered by a ceasefire to intensify efforts to help Israel address its security needs, especially the smuggling of weapons and explosives into Gaza.

President Obama would also said he would seek more money for the Iron Dome defense system that has protected Israel from rocket attacks, the White House said.

Obama praised Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi for his role in negotiating deal: "The president thanked President Morsi for his efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and for his personal leadership in negotiating a ceasefire proposal," the White House said.

The statement from Netanyahu's office also said that the Israeli premier had thanked Obama for the US contribution to Israel's 'Iron Dome' anti-missile system. It reportedly intercepted more than 420 rockets fired from Gaza during the eight-day conflagration.

Earlier on Wednesday, at least 15 people were injured in a Tel Aviv bus bombing. There was no claim of responsibility. Israel later launched more air strikes on Gaza. A health ministry spokesman in Gaza said at least six people were killed, including a toddler.

The death toll since Wednesday last week, when Israel killed a Hamas military chief in Gaza City during an airstrike, stands at 147 Palestinians and five Israelis killed.

dr/ipj (AP, dpa, Reuters, AFP)

President Mohamed Morsi attends a meeting with UN

 Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (unseen) at the

 presidential palace in Cairo, November 21, 2012. (Khaed

 Desouki/AFP/Getty Images)

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