Israel, Hamas Cease-Fire Deal Announced

Egypt announced on Wednesday that a ceasefire had been reached to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, starting later in the day.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr made the announcement in a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The ceasefire would come into effect at

``These efforts ... have resulted in understandings to cease fire and restore calm and halt the bloodshed that the last period has seen,'' Amr said.