Israel and Gaza militants agree to ceasefire

A senior Egyptian security official said that both sides “had agreed to end the current operations”, with Israel agreeing to “stop assassinations”. He added that an overall agreement “to begin a comprehensive and mutual calm” had been reached.

Further details of the ceasefire, which is due to take effect from 1am local time, are yet to be disclosed. But Israeli Civil Defence Minister, Matan Vilnai, told Israel Radio: “At the moment the direction is toward calm and it appears, unless there are last minute developments, that this round is now behind us.”

A Palestinian official close to the talks said that “the factions are committed” to the deal.

However, the official added that Islamic Jihad and Popular Resistance Committees, who were most active in the fighting, are waiting to see how Israel will respond.

The truce agreement followed appeals from world powers, the US, the UN, France, the EU and the Arab League, to exercise restraint after the clashes.

Israel has claimed that Gaza militants fired about 200 rockets at its southern towns and cities from Gaza since fighting flared on Friday after Israel killed a militant it accused of plotting to attack Israel from Egyptian territory.

Medical officials said that 20 of the Palestinians killed were militants, and five were civilians.