Israel and Hamas agreed to the terms of an Egypt-brokered cease-fire Tuesday. The agreement was supposed to go into effect today in the Gaza Strip, according to The New York Times.
Hamas co-founder Mahmoud Zahar confirmed the six-month-long truce at a news conference Tuesday, The Times reported.
Israeli officials claim that some details of the agreement need to be finalized. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in a speech Tuesday evening that agreement was not finalized, according to The Times.
Hossam Zaki, a spokesman for Egypt's foreign ministry, said the agreement would loosen Israeli restrictions on the transfer of goods and people between Israel and Gaza. In return, Israel asked Hamas to cease rocket fire into Israel and stop weapon smuggling through tunnels between Egypt and Gaza. They also asked for the release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad , The Washington Post reported.
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