This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7835364.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Israel 'to announce ceasefire' Israel 'to announce ceasefire'
(10 minutes later)
The Israeli cabinet is set to back an end to military activities in the Gaza Strip, three weeks after operations there began, the BBC understands.The Israeli cabinet is set to back an end to military activities in the Gaza Strip, three weeks after operations there began, the BBC understands.
Top officials are expected to approve a ceasefire at a meeting later on Saturday, after which PM Ehud Olmert will address the nation, sources said. Israel's leaders are expected to approve a ceasefire at a meeting later on Saturday, after which PM Ehud Olmert will address the nation, sources said.
The sources said the ceasefire deal did not involve Hamas.The sources said the ceasefire deal did not involve Hamas.
It is not clear how Hamas will respond; its officials say the group will ignore any truce unless its demands are met.It is not clear how Hamas will respond; its officials say the group will ignore any truce unless its demands are met.
Ahead of the move violence continued in Gaza, with 50 Israeli air strikes overnight. Rocket fire from Hamas militants also continued.Ahead of the move violence continued in Gaza, with 50 Israeli air strikes overnight. Rocket fire from Hamas militants also continued.
About 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis - three civilians and 10 soldiers - have been killed during the campaign.About 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis - three civilians and 10 soldiers - have been killed during the campaign.
'H-Hour'
The Israeli move follows intense diplomacy aimed at ending the conflict.The Israeli move follows intense diplomacy aimed at ending the conflict.
According to Israeli sources, Mr Olmert will announce that offensive military operations will end from an "H-Hour", the timing of which is not yet clear. Israeli sources told the BBC's Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen, that Mr Olmert would announce an end to offensive military operations from "H-Hour", the exact timing of which is not yet clear.
He is expected to link the move to Israel having achieved its goal of curtailing rocket fire from Hamas-linked militants, the sources said. Mr Olmert was expected to link the move to Israel having achieved its goal of curtailing rocket fire from Hamas-linked militants, the sources said.
If rocket fire continues after "H-Hour", Israel will respond, the sources said. If rocket fire continued after "H-Hour", Israel would respond, the sources said.
The sources stressed that this was a unilateral action by Israel. How Hamas responds remains to be seen.
Hamas insists that any ceasefire must involve Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza and an immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade.