Hamas announces one-week cease-fire

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-19-2009 08:53

Israel has implemented a unilateral cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, putting an end to three devastating weeks of war against Hamas.

In response, Hamas announced a temporary ceasefire, giving Israeli forces one week to withdraw.

Israel has implemented a unilateral cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, putting an end to three devastating weeks of war against Hamas.In response, Hamas announced a  temporary ceasefire, giving Israeli forces one week to withdraw.(CCTV.com)

Sunday was a quiet day in Gaza, but far from peaceful.

Hamas militants continued firing rockets towards Israel and Israel says it responded with fire from the air, destroying the rocket squad.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert convened his first cabinet meeting since the start of the ceasefire.

Ehud Olmert, Israeli Prime Minister, said, "Israel's decision allows it to react and renew fire with our enemies as long as they continue attacking. This morning, some of them continued their fire and they prompted what we had warned of beforehand. This ceasefire is fragile and we must examine it minute to minute, hour to hour."

Israel unilaterally halted fire starting at 2 am local time on Sunday but says troops will stay in Gaza until militants hold their fire.

Hamas responded, saying they won't allow the Israeli military to remain in Gaza, and gave them one-week to withdraw.

Moussa Abou Marzouk, Hamas Deputy Chief, said, "We, the Palestinian resistance factions announce a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and we stress that our demand is the withdrawal of the enemy forces from the Gaza Strip within a week, along with the opening of all the crossings for the entry of humanitarian aid, food and other necessities."

The announcement came about 12 hours after Israel announced its own cease-fire.

With both sides now holding their fire, international mediators are hoping for a lasting peace in the region. The fighting over the past three weeks in Gaza has left more than 12-hundred Palestinians dead, along with 13 Israelis.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei