Hamas gunmen killed but ceasefire hopes still high

Israel killed two Hamas attackers in the Gaza Strip and foiled a planned Palestinian bombing today, but there were growing indications that Hamas and other militant groups will agree soon to a three month ceasefire.

For several days Israeli and Palestinian officials have said they expected the militants to agree to end attacks, giving a chance to the US backed road map which aims to end 33 months of fighting and lead to a Palestinian state by 2005.