Israeli security cabinet

A "mutual and simultaneous" cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas reached with Egypt mediation took effect at 2 a.m. on May 21. (23.00GMT Thursday)

The Israeli Security Cabinet voted to end attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip that began May 10 and accept the cease-fire, according to media reports.

It is not specified when the truce will take effect, and "Channel 12" reports that it should start at 2 o'clock local time.
The meeting of the Israeli security cabinet was convened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The meeting ended after three hours.
Contradictory reports of a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas surfaced during the week.

The Israeli Security Cabinet on Dec. 29 voted to withhold $43 million of tax funds from the Palestinians, saying the money has been used to promote violence, Israeli media reported.

The sum represents funds that Israel says the Palestinians have used to pay the families of Palestinians who have been jailed or killed as a result of attacking Israel, according to various reports.

Israel could respond to any Iranian attack on it from Syria by toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, an Israeli security cabinet minister said on May 7, hinting that Assad himself may be targeted for assassination.

Israel agreed July 30 to observe a four-hour lull in Gaza several hours after a deadly strike on a school killed 16, drawing a furious response from a U.N. refugee agency. In a statement, the army said it had agreed to a humanitarian pause which was to begin at 12:00 GMT.

Israel will expand its week-long military campaign in the Gaza Strip if Hamas refuses to accept an Egyptian ceasefire plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on July 15.