An 18-month Gaza-area calm could start in a few hours, according to a senior Hamas source cited by Ynet Sunday evening. The source said progress had been made on all matters, including the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit and opening of crossings into Gaza.

The source said that, "any moment after midnight tonight can be Zero Hour for the start of the calm and that the matter will be decided in the coming hours." The source added that if there is no last-minute surprise, the start of the calm will be announced Monday at a news conference in Cairo by Hamas members who have been negotiating the issue with Egyptian officials.