U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Clinton meets w/ Benjamin Netanyahu Nov. 20, 2012. Photo: Screenshot

In a press conference in Cairo Hillary Clinton announced there will be a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza terrorists starting at 9 P.M. Israel time.

Ynet reports that the basic structure of the agreement is much like the one that ended Operation Cast Lead: Israel will unilaterally declare a cessation of operations and afterwards terror groups in Gaza will likewise do the same.

It’s being reported that an agreement between Israel  and Egypt for ways to stop the smuggling of weapons from Sinai to Gaza will be put to paper. Israel will also ease the naval blockade of Gaza after the cessation of violence.

Sources have told The Algemeiner that the U.S. is concerned that any ground operation could jeopardize the peace treaty Israel has with Egypt; Egypt’s president, Mohamed Morsi, places blame for the conflict squarely on Israel and there are no guarantees Egypt wouldn’t become involved were it to escalate further.

An Israeli source tells Reuters that the agreement does not include lifting the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

A senior Hamas negotiator in Cairo told the BBC in Gaza that a ceasefire deal has been reached and will take effect at 9 p.m. Israel time.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Twitter page tweeted the following: “PM #Netanyahu spoke with Pres Obama; accepted his recommendation to give Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire a chance.”

“PM Netanyahu thanked Pres Obama for his support of Israel during operation and Iron Dome system.”

“PM #Netanyahu emphasized that #Israel will take all necessary steps to defend the citizens of Israel”