Egypt Says Gaza Cease-Fire Agreement Reached Palestinians inspect the remains onf a government office building, which was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Nov. 21, 2012. (CAIRO) - Israel and the Hamas militant group agreed to a cease-fire Wednesday to end eight days of the fiercest fighting in nearly four years, promising to halt attacks on each other and ease an Israeli blockade constricting the Gaza Strip. Palestinian gunmen in Gaza fired into the air in celebration. At U.N. run schools in Gaza, where thousands had fled for protection, children and parents cheered and clapped. "I just hope they commit to peace," said Abdel-Nasser al-Tom, from northern Gaza. The deal was brokered by the new Islamist government of Egypt, solidifying its role as a leader in the quickly shifting Middle East after two days of intense shuttle diplomacy that saw U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton race to the region. Under the agreement, Egypt will play a key role in maintaining the peace. Minutes before the deal took effect at 9 p.m. local time. EDT) there was a last spasm of Palestinian rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes, including one that killed a man minutes before the deadline. After 9 p.m., the attacks ceased. Israel launched well over 1,500 airstrikes and other attacks on targets in Gaza since fighting started Nov. 14, while more than 1,000 rockets pounded Israel. In all, 161 Palestinians, including dozens of civilians, were killed, while five Israelis died. MORE: Tel Aviv After the Bus Bomb: Revived Traumas Standing next to Clinton, Egypt's foreign minister, Mohammed Kamel Amr, announced the truce breakthrough that capped days of intense efforts that drew the world's top diplomats into the fray. The agreement will "improve conditions for the people of Gaza and provide security for the people of Israel," Clinton said at the news conference in Cairo. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the cease-fire after consulting with President Barack Obama to allow Israeli civilians to get back to their lives. He said the two leaders also agreed to work together against weapon smuggling into Gaza, a statement confirmed by the White House. Netanyahu also left the door open to a possible ground invasion of Gaza at a later date. I know there are citizens that expected a wider military operation and it could be that it will be needed. But at this time, the right thing for the state of Israel is to take this opportunity to reach a lasting ceasefire," he said. According to a copy of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press, Israel and all Palestinian militant groups agreed to halt "all hostilities." For the Palestinians, that means an end to Israeli airstrikes and assassinations of wanted militants. For Israel, it brings a halt to rocket fire and attempts at cross-border incursions from Gaza. MORE: Amid Gaza Diplomacy, Bus Bomb Hits Tel Aviv After a 24-hour cooling off period, it calls for "opening the crossings and facilitating the movement of people and transfer of goods, and refraining from restricting residents" free movement." Hamas officials said details on the new border arrangements would have to be negotiated. Israel imposed its blockade of Gaza after Hamas, a militant group sworn to Israel's destruction, seized control of the territory five years ago. It has gradually eased the closure, but continues to restrict the movement of certain goods through Israeli-controlled crossings. Among the restrictions: a near-complete ban on exports, limited movement of people leaving the territory, and limits on construction materials that Israel says could be used for military use. The deal was vague on what limits Israel would lift, and whether Gaza's southern passenger terminal on the Egyptian border would be expanded to allow cargo to pass through as well. The deal was also unclear about a key Israeli demand for an end to arms smuggling into Gaza in tunnels underneath the border with Egypt. Under the agreement, Egypt will play a key role. It said "Egypt shall receive assurances from each party" that they are committed to the deal. "Each party shall commit itself not to perform any acts that would break this understanding," it adds. In case of any observations, Egypt - as the sponsor of this understanding - shall be informed to follow up. The deal marked a key victory for Egypt's new Islamist government, which is caught in a balancing act between its allegiance to Hamas and its need to maintain good relations with Israel and the U.S. Hamas is an offshoot of Egypt's ruling Muslim Brotherhood.