Israel and Hamas have announced a ceasefire, ending a 11-day bloodshed; also that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says Israel accepted the Egyptian proposal after a late-night meeting of his Security Cabinet.
Hamas quickly followed and agreed to the deal. Also, according to Egypt’s state-run MENA news agency, this truce is to take affect at 2 am; roughly after three hours of the announcement.
However, in a statement Mr. Netanyahu’s office said the Security Cabinet unanimously approved the proposal after recommendations from the military chief of staff and other top defense officials.
“The political leaders emphasized that the reality on the ground will determine the future of the campaign,” the statement said.
The skirmishes began on May 10, when Hamas fighters in Gaza fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. This site that is known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount. Moreover, heavy handed police threatened the conviction of thousands of Palestinians by Jewish settlers.
Till date Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes, many of them seeking shelter in crowded UN schools at a time of a raging coronavirus outbreak.
Israeli bombing damaged over 50 schools across the territory. Even though repairs have started, the education will still be disrupted for nearly 42,000 children. Israeli attacks have also damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organisation said.
A child looks at the damaged room of his family apartment after by Israeli airstrikes; near a residential building, in Beit Lahiya, Gaza Strip, Thursday, May 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)