"Hamas Will Announce 18-Month Truce With Israel, AFP Reports


By Mark Schoifet

Feb. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Hamas has accepted an 18-month truce with Israel in the Gaza Strip in a deal brokered by Egypt, Agence France-Presse reported, citing the Egyptian state news agency MENA.

The deal will be announced within 48 hours, AFP said. MENA based its report on comments from Mussa Abu Marzuk, Hamas's deputy leader, according to AFP. Hamas accepted the truce in exchange for Israel's lifting of its blockade of Gaza, AFP cited the official as saying.

Last Updated: February 12, 2009 16:17 EST"