Gaza ceasefire comes with 'Egyptian guarantees'
2012-11-21 20:13
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Cairo - The ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza comes with Egyptian "guarantees", an Egyptian source close to truce talks told Reuters on Wednesday.
The source also said the truce, would take effect at 19:00 GMT, included an end to "assassinations" and "incursions" and would ease movement of Palestinians.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr announced earlier on Wednesday that the truce had been agreed between Israel and Hamas to end a week of bloodshed in and around Gaza.
Egypt has been leading international efforts to end the conflict and "these efforts have reached an agreement for a ceasefire".
"It will come into effect at nine Cairo time" [19:00 GMT], Amr said at a news conference with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
"The United States welcomes the agreement today for a ceasefire. In the days ahead, the United States will work with partners in the region to consolidate this progress," Clinton said.
The White House said US President Obama praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for agreeing to support the Egyptian plan.
"The president commended the prime minister for agreeing to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal, which the president recommended the prime minster do, while reiterating that Israel maintains the right to defend itself," it said.
In Cairo, Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal was due to give a press conference following the announcement, Hamas sources told AFP.
