Arab press: Israel and Hamas reach agreement

Israel and Hamas have reached a cease fire agreement in which the blockade on the Gaza Strip would be lifted and Palestinian attacks halted, according to reports in the Arab Press. The Egyptian daily Al-Ahram claimed that Egypt and Hamas have brokered a ceasefire agreement and that Egyptian intelligence chief Gen. Omar Suleiman is expecting Israel's approval for the agreement. The Kuwaiti newspaper Mishkat Al-Ray reported that the signing of the agreement is imminent. Further reports suggested that the prisoner exchange deal in which Gilad Schalit would be released would be postponed to a later time.