Israel and Hamas sign six-month truce

18/06/2008

Israel has confirmed that it has entered into a six-month truce with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made the announcement this morning (June 18th), optimistically asserting: "The calm will be achieved on day one … We hope it will last indefinitely."

Gaza-based militants have launched more than 2,300 low-accuracy missiles into Israel since the beginning of the year - prompting violent retaliation by the Israeli Defence Force IDF.

Confirming the truce agreement, spokesman David Baker said: "We are hopeful that this will lead to a cessation of the daily rocket fire from [the] Gaza strip that Israelis have endured for so long."

His statement follows a comparable announcement by Hamas last night.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israel will begin opening its border crossings to the Gaza Strip on Sunday (June 22nd), easing restrictions on Palestinians who rely on cross-border trade to make a living.

Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak praised Egypt's role in brokering the truce, but warned the fragile peace would only hold if Hamas abides by its commitment to cease rocket attacks.

He also called for the release of Gilad Shalit, a 21-year old Israeli soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants almost exactly two years ago.

Mr Barak said: "The IDF is prepared for any developments, but it is important to attempt to achieve a period of calm to bring back the peace and quiet for the (Israeli) people who live around Gaza in Sderot and Ashkelon, and to try and renew negotiations for the release of Gilad Shalit."

Three Israelis have been killed by militant rocket attacks in recent weeks. By comparison, IDF incursions have claimed the lives of over 300 Palestinian civilians since January.


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