Israel agrees to truce in Gaza Strip, blockade to continue

The ceasefire came into effect late on Wednesday.

JERUSALEM: Israel on Wednesday agreed to a truce in the Gaza Strip, but announced that it will not lift its blockade of the Palestinian territory, Israeli sources said, declining to give further details of any deal.

Shortly before, a Palestinian official with knowledge of Egyptian mediation between the two sides told Reuters that there was a ceasefire agreement to end eight days of fighting in Gaza that has killed more than 140 Palestinians and five Israelis.

Israel's Channel Two television said a ceasefire would be announced in Cairo later in the evening by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Egypt’s foreign minister also confirmed the ceasefire, adding that the ceasefire will go into effect on 7 pm (GMT).

The Israeli prime minister has also confirmed that a ceasefire agreement has been reached.