Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip said Nov. 13 that they would agree to a cease-fire, possibly ending their fiercest exchange of rocket attacks and airstrikes with Israel in several years and allowing for a long-term truce that could help alleviate rampant unemployment in the strip.

The Associated Press reported the attacks had continued throughout a six-hour meeting Nov. 13 of Israel's State Security Cabinet. During that meeting, the cabinet had ordered the military to use whatever force was necessary against Hamas and the other factions.

Within about an hour of the meeting's end, the factions announced they would accept an Egypt-mediated cease-fire if Israel also agreed. Israel had not commented.

Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations have been working relentlessly to secure political and security understandings between Israel and the factions. Many proposals are being made to achieve calm, such as easing the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, improving living conditions and increasing hours of electricity. Just last week, Israel allowed Qatar to provide $15 million in cash for Hamas civil servants, who hadn't been paid in months.