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Hamas, Israel Reach Deal For Cease-Fire

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The Associated Press

Published: June 18, 2008

JERUSALEM - The Gaza Strip's ruling Hamas militant group said Tuesday that it has reached a cease-fire with Israel meant to halt a cycle of deadly Palestinian rocket attacks that rained hundreds of rockets on Israel in the past year and Israeli reprisals that have killed hundreds of Palestinians.

The accord, set to go into effect at 6 a.m. Thursday, has the bigger aim of ending Israel's yearlong economic blockade of Gaza and bringing home a captive Israeli soldier.

The phased approach is prone to pitfalls, though, and past truces have quickly broken down. Israel cautiously promised a "new reality" if the rocket fire ends.

The announcement capped months of Egyptian-brokered negotiations that have been repeatedly marred by violence. The deal first was announced in Cairo by Egypt's state-run news agency and quickly confirmed by Hamas. However, Hamas said it would respond to any Israeli attacks.

Underscoring the fragile situation, Israeli aircraft attacked three targets in southern Gaza, killing six Palestinian militants, Gaza medical officials said. In response, Palestinian militants fired seven rockets into Israel, the Israeli military said.

Still, after months of fighting, both sides seemed interested in a period of calm.

Israel wants to halt the incessant rocket and mortar attacks on its southern communities that have killed seven Israelis over the past year. Israeli reprisals have killed more than 400 Palestinians, many of them civilians.

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