israel gaza airstrikes
Palestinians watch as rescue workers search for victims under the rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli air strike that killed three senior Hamas military commanders in Rafah Reuters

A long-term truce between Palestinian militant groups in Gaza and Israel has allegedly been agreed, according to reports.

The Egyptian-brokered truce will be announced in the next few hours, according to Hamas and Islamic Jihad officials.

Earlier, Hamas's Moussa Abu Marzouk said that the negotiations "have ended and we have reached understandings that underscore the steadfast stance of the Palestinian people with the victory of the resistance.

"We are waiting for an official announcement to set the final hour and announce a ceasefire and an end to Israeli aggression," he said.

According to AP, Israel agreed to ease its blockade of Gaza to allow relief supplies and construction materials into the Palestinian territory.

The report was confirmed by the Islamic Jihad representative Ziad Nahala.

Israeli spokesman Mark Regev said reports of a Gaza ceasefire are "just reports".

The announcement is expected in Egypt's Cairo, where ceasefire talks have been going on for weeks. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is due to make a statement at 5pm BST.

MORE TO FOLLOW...