Following an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end 11 days of the war, a ceasefire is declared.

author-image
Kirti Pathak
New Update
Israel and Hamas

Image Source - Google

A truce agreed to by Israel and Hamas went into effect early Friday morning, bringing an end to an 11-day conflict that left the Gaza Strip in ruins and brought most of Israel to a halt.

Following a meeting of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet late Thursday night, Israel approved the Egyptian request, according to Netanyahu's office. Hamas soon followed suit, pledging to uphold the agreement.

Just when the truce took effect at 2 a.m. local time, frenzied life returned to Gaza's streets. People came out of their houses, some shouting "Allahu Akbar" from balconies and others whistling. Many people shot weapons into the air in celebration of the cease-fire.

The new round of combat between the bitter rivals ended inconclusively, as it had in the previous three wars. Israel claimed to have inflicted heavy damage on Hamas, but the Islamic militant group's nonstop rocket barrages continued.

Advertisment

Almost immediately, Netanyahu's hard-line right-wing base erupted in anger, accusing him of stopping the operation too soon.

His office said in a statement that the plan was unanimously accepted by the security cabinet following recommendations from the military chief of staff and other top defense officials. The statement boasted of "major operational successes, some of which are unparalleled," as well as a veiled warning against Hamas.

Hamas, an Islamic terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel, has declared victory. However, it now faces the difficult task of rebuilding in a region still beset by poverty, severe unemployment, and a raging coronavirus outbreak.

The militants will remain on high alert until they hear from mediators, according to Ali Barakeh, a member of Hamas' Arab and Islamic affairs bureau. He said that once Hamas hears from the mediators, the group's leadership will meet and make an announcement.

Following the announcement, U.S. President Joe Biden praised both sides for reaching the deal. To that end, he said that his administration would continue its quiet diplomacy.

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, Marc Garneau, tweeted that the truce is welcome, but that "a renewed commitment to peace" is required.

u-s-president-joe-biden gaza-strip hamas
Advertisment