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Hamas announces ceasefire in Gaza Hamas announces ceasefire in Gaza
(10 minutes later)
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has announced an immediate ceasefire with Israel, according to Hamas officials in Syria and Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas has announced an immediate ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, according to Hamas officials.
The group said it would hold fire so long as Israel withdrew all its forces from Gaza Strip within one week. The group said it would hold fire for one week so long as Israel withdrew all its forces from the Gaza Strip.
The move comes hours after a unilateral Israeli ceasefire came into effect.The move comes hours after a unilateral Israeli ceasefire came into effect.
The cessation of hostilities has been put under strain by fresh rocket fire into Israel and an Israeli air strike on militants in Gaza. The cessation of hostilities was put under strain by fresh rocket fire into Israel and an Israeli air strike on militants in Gaza.
Hamas official Ayman Taha told Reuters news agency in Gaza that the ceasefire also applied to other militant groups. Hamas official Ayman Taha told the BBC that the ceasefire also applied to other militant groups. GAZA LATEST class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7835868.stm">Excerpts: Olmert declares ceasefire class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7835893.stm">Ceasefire may not end war class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7835822.stm">Lebanese fear next step class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7835804.stm">Survivors count losses in Rafah
"Hamas and the factions announce a ceasefire in Gaza starting immediately and give Israel a week to withdraw," he was quoted as saying. "Hamas and the factions announce a ceasefire in Gaza starting immediately and give Israel a week to withdraw," he was reported as saying.
The group said the ceasefire would be temporary unless Israel also stopped military action, ended its blockade of the Gaza Strip and opened border crossings between Gaza and Israel. The group said the ceasefire would be temporary unless Israel met its long-standing demands.
The Israeli ceasefire came into effect at 0200 (2400 GMT). These include an end to military action, lifting its 19-month blockade of the Gaza Strip and opening border crossings between Gaza and Israel.
Rocket attack
Hamas' leader in exile, Khaled Meshaal, will make an "important" announcement in Syria on Sunday afternoon regarding Israel's ceasefire, the Associated Press news agency reported. GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND In depth: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps
Israel, whose ceasefire came into effect at 0200 (2400 GMT) has said its troops will stay in Gaza for as long as necessary.
Hours later, at least seven rockets were fired into Israel, Israeli sources said, triggering an Israeli air strike in response.Hours later, at least seven rockets were fired into Israel, Israeli sources said, triggering an Israeli air strike in response.
Israel says its troops will stay in Gaza for as long as necessary.
At least 1,300 Palestinians, according to Palestinian sources, and 13 Israelis have been killed since Israel launched its offensive on 27 December.At least 1,300 Palestinians, according to Palestinian sources, and 13 Israelis have been killed since Israel launched its offensive on 27 December.