A Hamas official confirmed Tuesday that the militant group has clinched a ceasefire deal with Israel.

Fawzi Barhoum is the Hamas Spokesman.

"We in Hamas are committed to the zero time (hour) of the declaration of the calm between us and this occupation (Israel) which was declared from the Egyptian side. And we have the right to respond to any Israeli occupation attack against the Palestinians in order to protect ourselves and the Palestinians until this zero point (hour) of this declaration."

The remarks came shortly after Egypt, which has been trying to broker the truce for months, said Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in Gaza have agreed to an Egyptian- mediated truce on Thursday.

Israel, however refused to confirm a deal, but said a "new situation" would take hold if a number of conditions are met by Hamas.

Mark Regev is Israeli Prime Minister's spokesman.

"If indeed we see an end of hostile terrorist attacks from Gaza into Israel, if indeed we see an end to the Hamas military build up inside the Gaza Strip, if indeed we see movement on the issue of our hostage, Gilad Schalit, then of course it will be an entirely new situation."

An official Egyptian statement earlier on Tuesday said the long-awaited cease-fire will go into effect on Thursday at 6 a.m. local time.