The Hamas movement has accepted the Egyptian initiative for a lull and is ready to launch it this week, Palestinian sources told the al-Arabiya network on Sunday.

If all agreements are approved, the Rafah crossing will reopen this Thursday, and Hamas and Israel will declare a one-year truce brokered by Egypt

Fighting Smuggling Egypt installing cameras on Gaza border Reuters Egyptian security officials hope sensors, cameras will help detect tunnel construction in border area Egypt installing cameras on Gaza border

The Palestinian sources said Hamas has agreed to have Palestinian Authority forces manage the crossing, as long as the Hamas government would be able to send inspectors there and the two sides would cooperate and coordinate their activities.

According to the report, Israel has agreed not to intervene in the Rafah crossing's operation.

Hamas was expected to demand that the opening of the crossing would not be linked to the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. This issue is expected to be included in the understandings, but not as part of the official agreement.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki refused to confirm or deny the report, saying that the results of Egypt's efforts to obtain a truce would be announced on Monday.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman of the Palestinian presidency, said Saturday that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would arrive in Cairo on Monday "in light of surprising developments in the talks with Hamas".