Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr said a ceasefire started at 9 pm on Wednesday 21/11/2012 between the Palestinians and Israelis. He urged all parties to abide by the ceasefire.

Amr stressed Egypt's commitment to the Palestinian cause and the necessity to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the region.

He said Cairo will also continue efforts to end the inter-Palestinian strife.

For her part, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a joint press conference with Amr, thanked President Mohamed Morsi over his tireless efforts to de-escalate the situation in the Gaza strip.

In the days ahead, the USA will work with partners in the region to consolidate this progress, Clinton said.

Clinton noted that she discussed with Morsi ways to halt violence between the two sides in order to reach a just peace in the region.

During the few coming days, Washington will work to improve the living conditions in the Gaza strip and the security conditions in Israel. The top US diplomat said she is looking forward to cooperating with Amr to enforce the ceasefire.