Israeli-Hamas cease-fire to begin Thursday

JERUSALEM, June 18 (UPI) -- An Israeli government spokesman on Wednesday confirmed the country's leaders had agreed to a cease-fire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

As part of the agreement, which begins Thursday, Israel is expected to ease its blockade of Hamas-controlled Gaza, The New York Times reported. Government officials said the sanctions would be lifted as security on the ground dictates.

"We hope this will lead to a cessation of the constant rocket fire on Israeli towns and cities," said David Baker, a spokesman for the Israeli government.

Egyptian and Hamas officials Tuesday announced the Egyptian-brokered cease-fire was reached but Israel delayed commenting until officials received final word from Cairo.

Mahmoud Zahar, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said the truce would last for six months.

Attacks initiated from both sides of the Gaza border marked the days leading to the cease-fire's effective date.

On Wednesday, militants in Gaza fired rockets and mortars into Israeli territory and shot at Israeli engineers working near the border fence. There were no injuries.

Militants fired up to 10 rockets at Israel Tuesday night. Earlier Tuesday, Israel conducted three air strikes in Gaza, killing six Palestinian militants.