Israelis and Hamas are denying they reached a truce deal, but no rockets have been launched recently from the Strip and Israel’s army has not carried out any raid. Egypt confirms it has pursuing an initiative to stop violence from both sides.

Gaza (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Today was a peaceful day in the Gaza Strip and neighbouring Israeli towns. Hamas has stopped launching rockets and Israel’s army has ended its raids. Both parties are saying however that “at the moment” there is no truce, and Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that military operations could resume at any moment. But Cairo officially confirmed it is involved in a mediation to get a ceasefire, albeit one without official statements.

Al-Jazeera reported today that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ordered a halt to raids on the Gaza Strip. "We certainly appear to have entered a period of talking rather than fighting now," the TV network said.

Hossam Zaki, spokesman for the Egyptian foreign ministry, said that Egyptian authorities have been in contact with representatives from both sides.

“There is an interest on both parties in a period of calm and the issue now is to discuss whether there will be guarantees," he told the Qatar-based satellite TV.

Hamas sources told Al-Jazeera that the Palestinians are not only calling for an end to the military action, but also for the reopening of the Rafah crossing and the lifting of the siege on Gaza.

According to Israel’s Haaretz daily, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri also said that no comprehensive ceasefire had been reached, but that Hamas leaders would never the less continue Egyptian-led efforts.

For his part Israeli Defence Minister Barak said “the fighting is ongoing and will continue and will at times increase and decrease.”

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• zuhri
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• ceasefire
• truce