Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks at a press conference after security cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv, on January 17, 2008. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Saturday evening declared a unilateral ceasefire in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, beginning from 2:00 AM (0000 GMT) on Sunday. The declaration came shortly after Israeli security cabinet voted in favor of a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Cast Lead Operation had been going on in the past three weeks, killing more than 1,200 Palestinians.  [Xinhua]

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

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the truce late Saturday, beginning from 2:00 AM (0000 GMT) on 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, Islamic 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."

The United States Saturday welcomed Israel's decision to implement a unilateral ceasefire. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement she hoped for a durable ceasefire and a long-term settlement for the problems of Gaza.

Israel's 22-day Cast Lead Operation, which began on December 27, has killed more than 1,200 Palestinians, more than half civilians. On the Israeli side, 13 people were killed since the operation, including four killed by rockets from Gaza. The other nine were soldiers killed in Gaza ground battle.

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2009)