Truce takes effect between Israel and militants in Gaza

GAZA (CNN) -- A truce between Israel and Palestinian militants in Hamas-ruled Gaza took effect at 6 a.m. local time Thursday, after both sides spent the previous day trading blows

More than two dozen rockets were launched into Israel from Gaza on Wednesday, with Israel striking back with airstrikes. The Egyptian-brokered deal comes a year after the Palestinian Islamic party Hamas took control of Gaza from forces loyal to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. By agreeing to deal with Hamas through Egyptian mediators, Israel appears to be bending its policy of completely excluding Hamas.

"The real question is whether the cease-fire will hold, how long it will hold, and whether it can be used to build upon and improve the situation and crisis," said Haim Malka of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

But Meir Harash, a Jerusalem resident, told CNN he had "not a lot of faith" in the cease-fire -- "cautious optimism at best."

Israel excluded Hamas from peace talks, since the group refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist. Instead, it has dealt with the more moderate Palestinian Authority leadership in the West Bank.

But Palestinians voted overwhelmingly for a Hamas-led government during a U.S.-backed vote in 2006. Abbas dissolved that government after Hamas seized control of Gaza, which had long been under the control of Palestinian forces loyal to Abbas' Fatah Party.