Nevertheless, Hamas leaders have repeated that the militant group will not respect any ceasefire as long as Israeli troops remain inside the Palestinian coastal enclave.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R) shakes hands with Defense Minister Ehud Barak at a press conference after security cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv, on Jan. 17, 2008.   [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

Shortly after Olmert's announcement, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that the IDF will stay in Gaza and restart the military operation if necessary.

"We will stop the fire but there is no guarantee that Hamas will do the same. The army will stay as needed and if Hamas continues to fire, the army will fire back severely and will be ready to follow and intensify its operations as necessary," said Barak.

Earlier on Saturday, the defense minister said during a visit to IDF paratroopers that the IDF is nearing the goals set for its operation in Gaza, which serves as a strong hint at the unilateral ceasefire announcement made by Olmert.

"After three weeks of Operation Cast Lead, we are very close to securing the operation's objectives and complementing them with diplomatic agreements," said Barak.

However, the troops must "continue their operational activity and be ready for any possible development," said the defense minister.

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."

Meanwhile, Muin Nasri, a Palestinian doctor working in Gaza, told Xinhua on the phone that "I hope there is a Hamas ceasefire after Israel's declaration, but if Israel does not withdraw its troops from Gaza in one or two days, the ceasefire will collapse."

Caoimhe Butterly, an Irish human rights activist working in Jabalia and Gaza City as a volunteer with ambulance services, said "Israel should stop killing innocent people and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops is necessary for Hamas to stop fire."

The Cast Lead Operation, which began on Dec. 27, entered its 22nd day on Saturday, killing more than 1,200 Palestinians. 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)