London, Aug 27: Israel and Hamas have reportedly agreed to observe a long-standing truce in the Gaza Strip.
The truce will provide a reprieve from seven weeks of fighting that has killed 2,200 people and will begin at 19:00 local time (16:00 GMT), reported the BBC. The ceasefire agreement was brokered by Egypt.
Israel has agreed to ease its blockade on Gaza to allow aid and building materials however, Tel Aviv’s demand to disarm the Hamas fighters is expected to be taken up for discussion within a month.
Hamas termed the agreement a “victory for the resistance.”
The U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki welcomed the decision by saying that the United States strongly supports the ceasefire agreement.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also welcomed the truce but warned in a statement via a spokesman that any attempt that does not address the root causes of the crisis will do little to ensure a long-standing peace in Gaza.
