An Islamic Hamas movement spokesman announced on Monday that Hamas and Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip accepted a 24-hour ceasefire with Israel to allow Egyptian food aids into Gaza.

Ayman Taha, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, told reporters that the Palestinian factions had accepted the 24-hour truce with Israel " to allow several trucks loaded with food into Gaza through Rafah border crossing."

A six-month truce, brokered by Egypt between Israel and Gaza militant groups, expired on Friday following failed efforts to resume the truce or extend it for another six months.

Before the truce between the two sides, Israel has imposed a tight blockade on Gaza. It has barred all kinds of food products and fuels into the enclave, saying the blockade was in response to rockets fire from Gaza at Israel.

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2008)