Israel and Hamas have agreed to an Egyptian-proposed ceasefire that could ease the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. Under the agreement, Israel has pledged not to engage in offensive action in the Gaza Strip, and Hamas has pledged to stop all Palestinian militant groups from attacking Israel from Gaza. The West Bank is not covered by the ceasefire which goes into effect Thursday morning. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh pledged his support for the agreement.

Ismail Haniyeh: “The Palestinian demands were clear — lifting the siege and blockade, opening the crossing and ending the aggression — and we believe that these demands have been met. And the Palestinian people will see the fruits of these negotiations, dialogs and as well as the fruit of endurance for an entire year of total and chocking siege.”

Hamas has also agreed to intensify talks over the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Hours before the ceasefire was announced, an Israeli air strike in Gaza killed six Palestinians. Meanwhile, the Israeli government is also now calling on Lebanon to open peace talks.