"The Islamic Jihad Movement together with other forces of the Palestinian opposition has declared a 24-hour ceasefire to allow a convoy with humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip," Abu Hamza said.
The Islamic Jihad Movement has claimed responsibility for most of the 50 rockets fired into Israel's southern regions over the last three days since a six-month ceasefire with Israel ended on Friday. The ceasefire was brokered by Egyptian mediators, and encompassed not only Hamas but also other Palestinian militant groups in the enclave.
Palestinians have been waiting five days for trucks from Egypt to enter the enclave via Israel, which refuses to open the Kerem Shalom border post into the Gaza Strip even for humanitarian aid because of Palestinian aggression.
On Thursday, Palestinian militants fired a combination of rockets and shells towards southern Israel, while Israeli planes fired rockets into the Gaza Strip, killing one person and injuring three others.
Israel had insisted the truce was indefinite and defense officials said on Thursday the airstrikes were a warning to Hamas.
Abu Hamza did not confirm a Hamas spokesperson's announcement that the unilateral ceasefire could be extended.
Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007.
Shortly before Hamas' announcement last Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Israel's Haaretz newspaper that the truce had been beneficial, saying it was "not a mistake."
"If the quiet continues, there will be quiet. If the lull is shattered, we will act," Barak said.
