Israel, Palestinians Reach Open-Ended Gaza Cease-fire Deal

Israeli and Hamas negotiators announced Tuesday they have agreed to an open-ended cease-fire to halt seven weeks of deadly combat in Gaza.

The truce was to begin at 7 p.m. local time, though fighting continued up to that point, the Associated Press reported. Just before its start, mortar fired into southern Israel killed at leat one Israeli.

A Hamas senior official earlier said the deal also calls for easing the  Gaza blockade, opening key crossings to allow shipments of humanitarian aid and building materials for repair and reconstruction.

A statement from Egypt's foreign ministry said indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians should continue within a month of the cease-fire's implementation, Reuters reported.