By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : The Palestinian Islamic resistant movement, Hamas, has announced that the Gaza-based factions have agreed to halt the firing of rockets against areas in southern Israel for 24 hours.
Hamas spokesman in Gaza Ayman Taha said Monday that the Palestinian factions agreed on the 24-hour ceasefire period in line with a request by Egypt.
The short-term ceasefire took effect as of Sunday night, he said.
Hamas may consider a longer truce if Israel stops its military attacks against Gaza and lifts its siege on the Strip, said Taha.
The Egyptian-sponsored six-month truce between Israel and the Palestinian factions in Gaza expired last Friday.
The Islamic Jihad has also agreed to a ceasefire for 24 hours in order to allow entry of humanitarian supplies from Egypt.
Khaled Al-Batsh, an Islamic Jihad official, said his movement wanted to give space to entry of Egyptian aid and agreeing to the ceasefire has nothing to do with the expiry of the truce last Friday.