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GAZA: Israeli forces started to implement a unilateral ceasefire in the Gaza Strip early Sunday after a 22-day fierce offensive on the Hamas-ruled area.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared a unilateral ceasefire in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, beginning from 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) Sunday. The declaration came shortly after Israeli
security cabinet voted in favor of a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel forces Cast Lead Operation had been going on in the past three weeks, killing around 1,300 Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the truce, beginning from 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) Sunday, saying the goals of the operation in Gaza had been "met in full."

"We reached all of our objectives in Gaza," Olmert told a press conference in Tel Aviv, adding Hamas has been dealt a heavy blow by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and Hamas leaders are now in hiding.

But he ordered troops to remain in the enclave and return fire if they came under attack.

Minutes after Olmert declared the unilateral ceasefire in Gaza, Hamas movement's armed wing
al-Qassam Brigades sent a statement to reporters, saying they will "continue resistance as long as the occupation of Gaza continues and the blockade is imposed."

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