Defense Ministry political-security chief Amos Gilad, who negotiated the ceasefire with Hamas through Egyptian negotiators, explained Wednesday that it actually is an "understanding." Gilad added that the issue of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit was a central point in the discussions leading up to the announcement of a six-month halt in terrorist attacks and IDF retaliation in Gaza, effective 6 a.m. Thursday.

"The only way to free Shalit was to try to give Egypt the opportunity" to mediate between Israel and Hamas, he stated. Gilad explained that the Egyptian option is better that a full-scale counterterrorist operation, for which he said preparations have not been completed.