Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas, might officially declare their approval of a truce agreement with Israel in the coming days, a source close to Islamic Jihad told Xinhua on Friday.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the factions might declare the truce either in the coming two weeks, or in this month.

The source confirmed that after the quick visit to Israel by the Egyptian chief of intelligence Omar Suleiman, Egypt have intensified its efforts to convince Palestinian militant groups to stop rocket launching, as well as preventing Israel from carrying out any violent reactions.

The source also clarified that Palestinian militant groups conducted a series of meetings to study the renewal of ceasefire with Israel, and was agreed upon by a number of these groups.

Other factions, the source said, had asked for more time to study it.

Further more, the source confirmed that Palestinian militant groups are taking in serious consideration the Israeli threats of reacting on the rocket attack, and expect to reach an agreement and announce it within the coming two weeks, or ultimately within this month.

Previously, a source close to Hamas movement told Xinhua on late Thursday night that the Islamic group might announce the truce with Israel within hours.

Israel launched a massive military operation on Gaza at the end of the year 2008, aiming at preventing Gaza militants from firing rockets at southern Israeli communities.

The military campaign last for more than 20 days before Israel and the Palestinian factions in Gaza, mainly the Islamic Hamas, announced unilateral ceasefire respectively.

Since the end of the war, Egypt has been mediating between Israel and Hamas to achieve a long-term ceasefire.