Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announces the ceasefire
Israel has begun a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza, three weeks after launching a full-scale assault against Hamas.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel had achieved its goals and Hamas - which has been firing rockets at Israel - had been defeated.
But he said troops would remain in Gaza for now. Hamas said it would not accept one Israeli soldier in Gaza.
Correspondents report the first quiet night in the Strip in 22 days after the ceasefire began at 0200 (0000 GMT).
Nearly 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis have died.
The US has welcomed the ceasefire, saying it "expects that all parties will cease attacks and hostile actions immediately".
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed relief, saying the ceasefire should be "the first step leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza".
Aid organisations have expressed concern that crossings into Gaza will not reopen fully unless Hamas is committed to a ceasefire.
'Goals achieved'
The Israeli prime minister's announcement came in a televised address following a late-night cabinet meeting.
We feel the pain of every Palestinian child and family member who fell victim to the cruel reality created by Hamas
Ehud Olmert
Israeli prime minister
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Israel's "goals have been achieved, and even more", Mr Olmert said.
Yup, two days before the inauguration. What are we....idiots? Possibly.