Tel Aviv, November 14 (RHC)-- Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has announced he is resigning in protest against a truce in Gaza.

Speaking to the press in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Lieberman said he deemed the Egyptian-mediated ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza  reached Tuesday as "a capitulation to terror".

He said he also fiercely objected to Israel's allowing Qatar to deliver 15 million dollars in aid to Gaza last week.

In a reaction on Wednesday, Hamas called Lieberman's resignation a "political victory for Gaza".

Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri said it marked "recognition of defeat and failure to confront the Palestinian resistance", adding that "Gaza's steadfastness sent a political shockwave" through Israel.

The resignation, which comes into effect 48 hours after Lieberman puts it in writing, significantly weakens Netanyahu's ruling coalition government and could bring about early elections.