TEL AVIV/GAZA/RAMALLAH (dpa-AFX) – According to Israeli information, the agreement between Israel and the Islamist Hamas on important points of a plan to end the Gaza war has already been signed. “The final draft of the first phase was signed by all parties in Egypt this morning,” an Israeli government spokeswoman told reporters.
A ceasefire in the Gaza war is expected to take place within 24 hours of an Israeli government meeting scheduled for early evening to approve the agreement. Israel’s soldiers should then withdraw to an agreed line. The 72-hour period within which the living and dead hostages should be released begins 24 hours after the government meeting, it said.
According to information, Israel’s military will continue to control 53 percent of the Gaza Strip after withdrawing behind the said line./cir/DP/men