Cease-Fire Between Israel-Hamas Announced

A ceasefire has been announced between Israel and Hamas. It will go into effect at 9pm local time.

FOX News Radio’s Emily Wither reports from Jerusalem:

CLICK HERE for more on the violence in Israel and Gaza. 

READ a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office:

Israeli PM talked to President Obama a short while ago and agreed to his recommendation to give a chance to the Egyptian offer of cease fire, and by this give a chance to calm the region.The Israeli PM expressed his deepest appreciation to the US President for his support for Israel and his assistant to the Iron dome system. The PM emphasized that Israel will do all needed to protect it’s citizens.

Below is a READOUT of President Obama’s call to Prime Minister Netanyahu as released by the White House:

President Obama spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu today and reiterated his commitment to Israel’s security.

The President made clear that no country can be expected to tolerate rocket attacks against civilians.

The President expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister’s efforts to work with the new Egyptian government to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and a more durable solution to this problem.

The President commended the Prime Minister for agreeing to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal – which the President recommended the Prime Minster do – while reiterating that Israel maintains the right to defend itself.

The President said that the United States would use the opportunity offered by a ceasefire to intensify efforts to help Israel address its security needs, especially the issue of the smuggling of weapons and explosives into Gaza.

The President said that he was committed to seeking additional funding for Iron Dome and other US-Israel missile defense programs.

Below is a READOUT of President Obama’s call to President Morsi as released by the White House:

President Obama spoke to President Morsi today. The President thanked President Morsi for his efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and for his personal leadership in negotiating a ceasefire proposal. President Morsi expressed appreciation for President Obama’s efforts in this regard.

President Obama and President Morsi agreed on the importance of working toward a more durable solution to the situation in Gaza.

President Obama reaffirmed the close partnership between the United States and Egypt, and welcomed President Morsi’s commitment to regional security.