Hamas security men inspect the wreckage of a car hit by an Israeli air strike in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) 

Earlier in the day, Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement's armed wing, al-Quds Brigades, claimed responsibility for launching 20 homemade rockets at the southern Israeli towns of Sderot and Ashkelon.

Israeli Radio quoted an Israeli army spokesman as saying that several Gaza homemade rockets struck Negev in southern Israel, causing damages to farms and houses. No injuries were reported.

Israel and Gaza militant groups, led by Islamic Hamas movement, agreed on Tuesday to a Egypt-mediated ceasefire which will take into effect on Thursday from 6:00 A.M. local time (0300 GMT) in the Gaza Strip for six months.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the truce would go into effect on Thursday morning, adding that several hours after the truce is implemented, "Israel would ease a one-year blockade it imposed on the Gaza Strip."

Since Hamas' violent takeover of Gaza in mid June last year, Palestinian militants have launched rockets from the territory against southern Israeli communities almost daily, while Israel has imposed a tightened blockade on Gaza and termed it as a hostile entity.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2008)