Report: Israel Agrees to Truce

Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi announced on Wednesday. The ceasefire will take effect at 9 p.m. Cairo time, 1900 GMT. Both sides agreed in principal for a truce, but there was no agreement on the key demands—leading to a second phase of talks that will address the issues that Clinton will be involved in. “There is no substitute for a just and lasting peace,” Clinton said. Israeli sources told Reuters that although the country agreed to a truce, it would not lift the blockade. In the eight days of fighting, more than 140 Palestinians and five Israelis have died.