Israel confirms agreement to Gaza truce with Hamas

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JERUSALEM, June 18 (Reuters): Israel said on Wednesday it accepted an Egyptian-brokered truce with Hamas Islamists ruling the Gaza Strip but voiced skepticism the ceasefire involving all Palestinian militant groups in the territory would hold. Amos Gilad, a senior Israeli defense official, said after returning from talks in Cairo that "an understanding" had been reached. Egypt and Hamas said Tuesday a ceasefire would go into effect at 6 a.m. (11 p.m. EDT) Thursday.

Gilad told Israeli stations that Israel was prepared to give a ceasefire a chance-while continuing preparations for possible military action should it fall apart.

A ceasefire would aim to end frequent rocket and mortar bomb attacks on Israel from the coastal enclave and Israeli raids and air strikes in the territory.

sraeli and Palestinian officials said that under the truce, the blockade Israel imposed on the Gaza Strip after Hamas seized the territory a year ago would be eased gradually and partially.