Text of Israeli announcement on understanding

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -- Following is the text of the English-language announcement issued by Prime Minister Ehud Barak's office on Thursday announcing an understanding with the Palestinians to bring about an end to violence:

"During a meeting held tonight in Gaza, an understanding was reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority concerning a number of steps, on the basis of the understandings of Sharm el-Sheikh, which are supposed to bring about a renewal of the security cooperation and a cessation of the violence and incitement.

"This understanding has brought about a freezing of the responsive measures that were discussed tonight by the cabinet, for the purpose of utilizing the chance to stop the violence.

"Participating in the meeting on the Israeli side were minister Shimon Peres and bureau chief, advocate Gilead Sher. Prime Minister Barak thanked minister Peres and expressed his hope that this would bring an end to the violence."

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