JERUSALEM (AP) — A senior Israeli official says the Israeli government has accepted an Egyptian cease-fire proposal to end a monthlong war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

The official says a preliminary 72-hour truce will begin on Monday morning. An Israeli delegation will head to Egypt for talks meant to work out a long-term truce in the next three days.

The official said Israel will be watching "with a certain amount of skepticism," since previous cease-fire plans have quickly collapsed.

He spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement by the Israeli government.

Palestinian officials have already said they accepted the Egyptian proposal.