Gaza ceasefire comes into force

Miracles happen.

The Israelis have finally agreed to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. I don't know what brought about this change of heart, but it's to be welcomed.

Indeed, maybe now - once the onslaught has stopped - we might begin to see some moves towards the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier who's kidnap started this madness.

The ceasefire came into effect at 0600 (0400GMT) on Sunday.

The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says it seems Mr Abbas phoned his opposite number on Saturday evening to say he had agreement from all Palestinian factions that they would stop their rocket fire.

There is a signed agreement between Mr Abbas, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya and all the Palestinian factions, a spokesman said.

Mr Olmert has struggled to end rocket fire for months.

A spokeswoman for the Israeli prime minister, Miri Eisin, told the BBC that Mr Olmert had agreed that Israeli forces would not initiate any offensive action after that time.

This is a stunning turnaround from Olmert, who appeared ready to continue Israel's assaults on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in the deaths of over 400 Palestinians, over half of them civilians.

Both sides should now work at the release of Gilad Shalit and, hopefully, the resumption of talks aimed at the formation of a Palestinian state along the lines demanded by UN resolution 242.

It would also be incredibly useful if the US and EU would lift the sanctions they imposed on the Palestinians for having the temerity to elect a government that we don't approve of.

I've been bleating on about this for months, but the election of Hamas is a godsend for anyone who is serious about peace in the Middle East as it gives the Israelis the opportunity to negotiate with the organ grinder rather than the monkey.

This is an opportunity that should be seized. I know the Israelis have this ridiculously pompous stance where they will not deal "with terrorists", but this stance ignores their own history.

Israel was formed by the Haganah, the Irgun and the Stern gang. All of whom were considered terrorists. A state which was formed by terrorism cannot - realistically - profess to be horrified by others seeking to use similar means to ensure the birth of their own state.

Israel should start immediate talks with Hamas or it's representatives. Olmert has been a dreadful Israeli Prime Minister. He could be a great one if he seizes this opportunity and does what he was elected to do. Evacuate the settlements and start serious talks aimed at ending the illegal occupation.

He's surprised me by showing the insight he has by accepting the ceasefire, he could delight the world if he went the whole hog and embraced the next step.

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tag: Israel, Palestine, Gaza