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Israeli is to halt its three-week military offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said.

Mr Olmert said a unilateral Israeli ceasefire would take effect from 0200 (2400 GMT).

Earlier, a Hamas spokesman said it would fight until its demands were met, including an Israeli withdrawal.

Nearly 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis have died.

Minutes before Mr Olmert was due to speak, a rocket was fired from Gaza, a BBC producer in Gaza said.

The Israeli prime minister's announcement came in a televised address following a late-night cabinet meeting.

Israel's operation in Gaza had fully achieved its aims, Mr Olmert said, with Hamas badly damaged both militarily and in terms of infrastructure.

But the success of the ceasefire depended on Hamas, he said.

If militant rocket fire into Israel continued, Hamas would respond with force, he said.

If militant rocket fire into Israel continued, Hamas would respond with force, he said.

Lt. Staplic wrote:umm, what's tomorrow?

Captain Picard's Hair wrote:

Lt. Staplic wrote:umm, what's tomorrow?

Tomorrow is Sunday, January 18, 2009. (AKA today for Teaos)

Rocket salvo tests Gaza ceasefire

A volley of rockets has been fired into southern Israel from Gaza, hours after a unilateral Israeli ceasefire began.

At least four out of six rockets landed near the town of Sderot, with no reports of injuries. Israel launched an air strike on Gaza in response.

The exchange puts an immediate strain on the ceasefire, which followed three weeks of fighting.

Israel says its troops will not pull out for now, but Hamas said it would not accept an Israeli presence in Gaza.

Nearly 1,200 Palestinians and 13 Israelis have been killed since Israel launched its offensive against Hamas on 27 December.

Shortly before the rockets fell, Israeli troops briefly traded fire with Hamas militants in the north of the Gaza Strip after coming under attack, Israeli military officials said.