Israel and Hamas ceasefire begins
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has begun
The truce is designed to stop Israel attacks into the Gaza Strip, and to stop missiles being fired from Gaza into southern Israel.
If it holds, Israel will ease its blockade on Gaza and there may be further talks on a prisoner exchange.
There were no reports of fire from either side on Thursday morning.
Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group which controls Gaza, said it was confident all militants would abide by the Egypt-brokered truce, which is supposed to last six months.
Since the last ceasefire collapsed in April 2007, about 600 Palestinians and 18 Israels have been killed in fighting between the two sides.
Hamas isolated
on Wednesday, Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the truce would be fragile and could be short-lived.
He said Israel would abide by the ceasefire, but its armed forces were ready to act if cross-border rocket attacks continued.
Syria, which has hosted the political wing of Hamas since the 1990s, has welcomed the truce.
Speaking on a trip to India, President Bashar al-Assad said only peace and stability would "ensure sustainable development and long-term prosperity" in the region.
Israelis in the south of the country will appreciate the relief from daily missile fire, but many fear that a ceasefire could give Hamas the chance to rearm and strengthen itself further.
Hamas seized control of Gaza in June 2007, driving out forces loyal to Fatah, the political faction led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Israel then tightened its blockade on Gaza, allowing through only humanitarian supplies.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Israel will ease restrictions on the trade of certain goods between Gaza and Israel on Friday morning, and open up the crossings for all commercial goods next week.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has begun
The truce is designed to stop Israel attacks into the Gaza Strip, and to stop missiles being fired from Gaza into southern Israel.
If it holds, Israel will ease its blockade on Gaza and there may be further talks on a prisoner exchange.
There were no reports of fire from either side on Thursday morning.
Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group which controls Gaza, said it was confident all militants would abide by the Egypt-brokered truce, which is supposed to last six months.
Since the last ceasefire collapsed in April 2007, about 600 Palestinians and 18 Israels have been killed in fighting between the two sides.
Hamas isolated
on Wednesday, Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the truce would be fragile and could be short-lived.
He said Israel would abide by the ceasefire, but its armed forces were ready to act if cross-border rocket attacks continued.
Syria, which has hosted the political wing of Hamas since the 1990s, has welcomed the truce.
Speaking on a trip to India, President Bashar al-Assad said only peace and stability would "ensure sustainable development and long-term prosperity" in the region.
Israelis in the south of the country will appreciate the relief from daily missile fire, but many fear that a ceasefire could give Hamas the chance to rearm and strengthen itself further.
Hamas seized control of Gaza in June 2007, driving out forces loyal to Fatah, the political faction led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Israel then tightened its blockade on Gaza, allowing through only humanitarian supplies.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Israel will ease restrictions on the trade of certain goods between Gaza and Israel on Friday morning, and open up the crossings for all commercial goods next week.
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