RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories (AFP) - The Palestinians have reached agreement with Israel on a "permanent" ceasefire for the Gaza Strip, a senior official said on Tuesday.

"The contacts that have been going on have agreed a permanent ceasefire, a (deal to) end the blockade and a guarantee that Gaza's demands and needs will be met," the official told Agence France-Presse, speaking on condition of anonymity.

There was no immediate comment from Israel.

But Hamas's exiled deputy leader, Mussa Abu Marzuk, wrote on his Facebook page: "The negotiations with an agreement which embodies the resistance of our people and a victory for the resistance."