Cease-Fire Begins in Gaza

Hamas and Fatah officials announced a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip set to begin early Monday.

CNN reported that under the cease-fire, all checkpoints would be dismantled, gunmen would be required to withdraw from the streets and all hostages held by either side are to be released. The ceasefire was set for 1 a.m.

In order to maintain national unity and preserve Palestinian blood, Hamas and Fatah leaders met and agreed to end the fighting and remove the checkpoints, said Ayman Taha, a Hamas official.

On Sunday, Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip fired three rockets into Israel and warned they would continue the attacks, YNetNews reported.

The three Qassam rockets land in western Negev. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

The attack came several hours before Israeli Cabinet members were to discuss the volatility of the Gaza Strip, YNet reported. Associates of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the meeting would attempt to draw lessons from the interim Winograd report on the mishandling of last year’s war against Lebanon.

Some Israeli ministers say Israel should expand its operation inside the Gaza Strip, while Olmert has urged caution.