Israel and the Hamas agreed on Wednesday to a Gaza ceasefire deal, an un-named Palestinian official with knowledge of Egyptian mediation between the two sides told Reuters.

There was no immediate official confirmation of the news, which came on the eighth day of intensive Israeli fire on the Gaza Strip and terrorist rocket attacks out of the Gaza Strip.

The Ma’an News Agency reported that Canada’s Foreign Minister John Baird said Wednesday that his country backs Israel’s right to defend its citizens from air assaults by Hamas.

“We fundamentally believe that Israel has the right to defend itself and its citizens from terrorist threats,” Baird said in a statement.

“Far too often, the Jewish people find themselves on the front lines in the struggle against terrorism, the great struggle of our generation. Just last weekend, more than 100 rockets rained down on civilians in southern Israel from positions in the Gaza Strip.

“Canada condemns the terrorist group Hamas and stands with Israel as it deals with regional threats to peace and security.”

Channel 10 news reports that of the 70 Israelis injured in rocket attacks since the launch of Operation Pillar of Defense on Wednesday, 16 suffered physical injuries and were admitted to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, including a four year with moderate injuries.  Twelve people suffering physical injuries were sent to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva, and 12 were sent to Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, two of whom were seriously injured.  An additional 30 people who suffered from shock were treated at Soroka.

Some of the injuries occurred as citizens scrambled for safety during Red Alert sirens.

Egyptian military sources confirmed on Wednesday that missiles were launched from the northern Sinai town of Rafah at the Israeli kibbutz Kerem Shalom, Egypt Independent reported.

Israel and Egypt will be forming a joint military committee at Israel’s request to examine the circumstances surrounding the missile launch, the sources said.

Israel’s Channel 10 reported that four missiles fired from Rafah struck southern Israel in an area near the Gaza Strip‫.

Three of them landed in an open area, while the fourth hit Kerem Shalom in the Eshkol region but did not cause any injuries or damage, Channel 10 reported.

Amid rumors that Egypt is planning to send home the Israeli ambassador to Cairo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Amr issued a statement Wednesday evening, condemning the Israeli air strikes in Gaza and demanding the strikes to end immediately, according to Al Ahram.

This has been the first official Egyptian response to the assassination of Hamas military chief of staff Ahmed al-Jaabari, Amr said the Israeli military escalation in Gaza occurs “at a very critical time in the Middle East.”

The Egyptian FM warned Israel of the negative impact on the stability of the Middle East if the Israeli air strikes do not stop.

Arabs and foreign anarchists have had a busy day on Wednesday, blocking main roads and running protests.

In Gush Etzion, army and police are expecting a number of attempts to close down the main highways, and have prepared for that possibility. Local residents have been warned of possible delays caused by these provocateurs.

Now that U.S. politics are over, Sarah Silverman has found a new target – Israel.

In a tweet sent on Wednesday, Silverman writes,

“My Israeli bros & sissies: Do yourselves a fave & Vote Meretz OR the Green Movement for Kenesset sweeet”.

According to the Israeli site Nana, Meretz party chief, MK Zahava Galon (of “Jew-boy” fame) thanked Silverman for her support and congratulated her on Obama’s victory.

Now what would Rabbi Rosenblatt have to say?

From the Government Press Office:

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu congratulates US President Barack Obama on his election victory. The Prime Minister said,”The strategic alliance between Israel and the US is stronger than ever. I will continue to work with President Obama in order to assure the interests that are vital to the security of the citizens of Israel.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu, this afternoon (Wednesday, 7 November 2012), will meet with US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro.