Hamas 'announces Gaza ceasefire'
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has announced an immediate ceasefire with Israel, according to media reports from Syria and Gaza.
The group said it would hold fire so long as Israel withdrew all its forces from Gaza Strip within one week.
It comes hours after a unilateral Israeli ceasefire came into effect.
The cessation of hostilities however has been put under strain by fresh rocket fire into Israel and an Israeli air strike on militants in Gaza.
Hamas official Ayman Taha told Reuters news agency in Gaza that the ceasefire also applied to other militant groups.
"Hamas and the factions announce a ceasefire in Gaza starting immediately and give Israel a week to withdraw," he was quoted as saying.
The Israeli ceasefire came into effect at 0200 (2400 GMT).
Hours later, at least seven rockets were fired into Israel, Israeli sources said, triggering an Israeli air strike in response. Israel says its troops will stay in Gaza for as long as necessary. At least 1,300 Palestinians, according to Palestinian sources, and 13 Israelis have been killed since Israel launched its offensive on 27 December.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/7836205.stm
Another move in the drawn out chess game ?
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