SRINAGAR, Nov 21: Israel and Hamas group, which rules Gaza have agreed to a ceasefire, Egypt has declared.
This will end violence which has claimed more than 160 lives after Israel launched deadly airstrikes on Gaza last week to stop, according to them, projectile fires by Hamas militants.
The agreement will come into effect at 1900 hrs GMT (0030 local time, Thursday).
International news channels telecast images of the Egyptian minister announcing the ceasefire in a joint press conference with US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, 24 hours after first speculations about a truce were rife.
Clinton was in Cairo to meet Egyptian president, Morsi after having talks with Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Under the ceasefire terms, Israel is to stop all aggression against the Gaza Strip from land, sea and air, including cross-border incursions and targeted killings.
Palestinian factions are to cease all aggression from Gaza towards Israel, including rocket fire and attacks on the border, the agreement stipulates.
Twenty-four hours after the ceasefire takes effect, Israel will also be committed to opening of all border crossings and ease restrictions on movements of people and goods in and out of the enclave.
But reporters in Gaza say they are not sure if people will immediately take the deal as a relief and move back to their homes.
They say people in the strip are skeptical about ceasefire agreements until Israeli airstrikes, which pounded the strip for the eighth day today and killed 20 people including seven children, ended permanently.
