Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Bob Carr welcomed the ceasefire of Gaza, and said negotiation by Egypt was a commendable demonstration of that country\'s regional leadership on Thursday. They urged both Israel and Palestine to stick to the terms of a ceasefire which began today. \"Australia reiterates its call on both sides to resume negotiations towards a two-state solution comprising an independent Palestinian state with agreed borders alongside a secure Israel,\" they said in a joint statement.