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Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza
(30 minutes later)
Israel is to halt its three-week military offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said.Israel is to halt its three-week military offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said.
Israel had achieved the aims of its operation, Mr Olmert said, and a unilateral Israeli ceasefire would take effect from 0200 (2400 GMT). He said Israel had achieved its aims and the unilateral ceasefire would start at 0200 (2400 GMT). But he said troops would remain in Gaza for now.
Earlier, a Hamas spokesman said it would fight until its demands were met. A Hamas spokesman said it would not accept one Israeli soldier in Gaza.
Nearly 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis have died.Nearly 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis have died.
Minutes before Mr Olmert was due to speak, a rocket was fired from Gaza, a BBC producer in Gaza said.Minutes before Mr Olmert was due to speak, a rocket was fired from Gaza, a BBC producer in Gaza said.
'Goals achieved''Goals achieved'
The Israeli prime minister's announcement came in a televised address following a late-night cabinet meeting. The Israeli prime minister's announcement came in a televised address following a late-night cabinet meeting. GAZA LATEST class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7835098.stm">Bowen diary: Is this the end? class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7835088.stm">In pictures: Gaza conflict class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7832813.stm">Voices from Gaza City class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5903&edition=1">Send us your comments
Israel's "goals have been achieved, and even more", Mr Olmert said, with Hamas badly damaged both militarily and in terms of infrastructure.Israel's "goals have been achieved, and even more", Mr Olmert said, with Hamas badly damaged both militarily and in terms of infrastructure.
But the success of the ceasefire depended on Hamas, he said. If militant rocket fire into Israel continued, Israel would return to force, he said. But the success of the ceasefire depended on Hamas, he said.
How Hamas responds remains to be seen. Troops would remain in Gaza for the time being and if militant rocket fire into Israel continued, Israel would respond with force, he said.
The group says any ceasefire must involve Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza and an immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade. A Hamas spokesman, Fawzi Barhum, said the group could not "accept the presence of a single [Israeli] soldier in Gaza".
Israel must withdraw completely, lift its economic blockade of Gaza and open border crossings, he said.
Hamas representatives have been taking part in talks in Cairo, brokered by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, aimed at reaching a bilateral truce.