Israel, Hamas Agree to Ceasefire in Gaza War

Israel and Hamas have accepted an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire plan to end a seven-week operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, an Israeli official said.
 
Egyptian state media reported the ceasefire was to begin at 7 p.m. local time.
 
In the hour leading up to the ceasefire, Hamas continued to launch dozens of mortars and rockets at Israel, killing one and injuring at least two others.
 
According to the Jerusalem Post, members of the eight-person Israeli Security Cabinet were briefed about the Egyptian proposal, but were not asked to vote on it.
 
As a part of the ceasefire, Israel will allow humanitarian and construction materials to enter Gaza while Hamas pledged to halt rocket fire at Israel.
 
The official announcement from Egypt came after Palestinian officials had already stated that a deal had been reached to end the fighting.
 
"An agreement has been reached between the two sides and we are awaiting the announcement from Cairo to determine the zero hour for implementation," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, said.
 
An Israeli official said indirect talks would begin in Cairo within a month. That would include talks of allowing the construction of a Gaza seaport and the release of Hamas prisoners.