News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Vice Premier Chaim Ramon slammed the government Tuesday evening for agreeing to the tahadiyeh, or temporary period of "calm" mediated by Egypt between Israel and the Hamas terrorists.

"I oppose the ceasefire – it's another victory for radical Islam," he said. "It won in Lebanon and now in Gaza. So why be moderate? After, why is Hamas seeking an agreement? Because this will be their chance to represent Gaza as a Hamastan state."

According to the agreement, rocket and mortar attacks on Israel will cease starting at 6:00 a.m. Thursday, and Israel will halt its counterterrorism operations in Gaza in return. The initial phase is intended to last three days, while talks continue.