Israel reaches ceasefire in Gaza after two days of violence
The report comes after over 700 Hamas and Islamic Jihad rockets entered Israeli territory.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEHThe family home hit by Hamas rocket (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced on Monday morning that a ceasefire has been reached with Israel. The ceasefire goes into effect at 4:30 am, the groups said.Israel did not immediately comment on the announcement, but later in the morning the Home Front Command lifted all restrictions for Gaza border residents implying a ceasefire was agreed upon. Hamas said that that "the past few hours saw intensive diplomatic efforts" to achieve a ceasefire agreement. The United Nations, Qatar and Egypt took part in the efforts, Hamas added.Abu Mujahed, spokesman for the Palestinian Resistance Committees, a coalition of various terror groups in the Gaza Strip, confirmed that the ceasefire went into effect at 4:30 am Monday. "The ceasefire agreement was reached on condition that the occupation implements the previous understandings to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip," he said.Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa TV confirmed the ceasefire report. A senior Islamic Jihad official in the Gaza Strip also confirmed that a ceasefire has been reached to end the fighting in the Gaza Strip. The agreement, he said, requires Israel to implement the last Egyptian-brokered ceasefire understandings with the Gaza-based groups.
