Hamas: 'Israel failed in its goals', thanks Iran

Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal said on Wednesday that Israel had "failed in all its goals" after a Gaza truce deal came into effect, while thanking Egypt and Iran for their support during the conflict. "After eight days, God stayed their hand from the people of Gaza, and they were compelled to submit to the conditions of the resistance," Meshaal said. "Israel has failed in all its goals," he told reporters in a Cairo hotel. Meshaal also thanked ceasefire mediator Egypt, as well as Iran, which he said "had a role in arming" his Islamist movement during the conflict. "I would like to thank our dear Egypt, aided by the brave elected President Mohamed Morsi... Egypt acted responsibly and understood the demands of the resistance and the Palestinian people," he said. Meshaal also praised Iran, despite "disagreements on the situation in Syria". And the Hamas leader warned Israel against violating the agreement. "If you commit, we will commit. If you do not commit, the rifles are in our hands," he said. Earlier, Egypt announced the ceasefire agreement would come into effect at 1900 GMT on the eighth day of Gaza-linked violence that has killed at least 155 Palestinians and five Israelis.