Under the truce deal an Israeli blockade imposed on its borders with Gaza would also be loosened gradually and partially.

Starting next week, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would allow an initial increase of 30 percent of foodstuffs and basic commodities to the Gaza Strip, a military spokesman told the media.

Meanwhile Washington is hopeful that the current truce might allow Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to refocus their efforts to reaching a framework peace deal by the end of the year.

But both Israelis and Palestinians lack confidence in the longevity of the ceasefire. The last ceasefire reached in Gaza in November 2006 fell apart quickly.

"We have no illusion but that this truce is fragile and could be short-lived. Hamas has not changed its skin," Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said at a conference north of Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Hamas leader Ismail Haneya has said it expects all Palestinian factions to respect the ceasefire out of a sense of national responsibility.

But Abu Hamza, a spokesman for the armed wing of Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement has told the media that they would respond with force from Gaza to any Israeli raids in the West Bank, despite the fact that the area is not covered by the truce.

Enhanced legitimacy for Hamas

There should be no doubt about Israel's intentions regarding Hamas. "Hamas is not a partner for us ... we did not change our mind regarding our views on Hamas," said Aryeh Merkel, a spokesperson of Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We negotiate with Mahmoud Abbas and it is quite clear that even if we reach an agreement it will not be implemented as long as Hamas remains in control of Gaza," he said.

Though Israel might not view Hamas as a potential partner for peace, some analysts believe the Jewish state's very agreement to a peace treaty, however short it may be, helps enhance the militant group's credibility abroad.

"One of the unanticipated side effects of negotiations is that they lead to the enhanced legitimacy of those who engage in it," Gold said, noting that Hamas might improve its standing to make it harder for Israel to argue against it internationally.

In such a case of enhanced legitimacy for Hamas and without the Quartet conditions being met, "the tahadiyeh is likely to accelerate the consolidation of Fatah and Hamas and to undermine the very purpose of the Annapolis agreement aimed at supporting the government of Mahmoud Abbas," Gold said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2008)