The ceasefire between the Israeli armed forces and the military arm of Hamas, the Islamist faction that rules the Gaza Strip, was officially implemented at 02:00 (local time and Greek time).
Gunshots were heard in the Gaza Strip as a sign of joy, French Agency journalists reported. No air defense sirens sounded in Israel for at least the first minutes after the agreement was implemented, which theoretically puts an end to 10 days of bloody hostilities.
Numerous Palestinians took to the streets, shouting messages saluting the “victory of the resistance over the occupation (Israel) during the battle of the Sword of Jerusalem.”
Both sides have said they will retaliate if the other side violates the agreement. Egypt, which mediated to close the deal, said it would set up two delegations to monitor its implementation.
Since the start of hostilities on May 10, health officials in Gaza have reported 232 dead Palestinians, including 65 children and 39 women, and more than 1,900 wounded. Chahal, the Israeli army, estimates that he killed at least 160 Palestinian fighters in the enclave.
In Israel, 12 people were killed and hundreds were injured after rocket attacks caused panic, prompting people to flee to shelters.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will travel to the region “in the coming days” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will travel to
the Middle East “in the coming days”, the State Department announced and he confirmed via twitter.
According to a press release issued by his services, Mr. Blinken plans to meet on his tour with his “Israeli, Palestinian” counterpart as well as with officials from other “peripheral countries” in order to work together to building a better future for Israelis and Palestinians. “
“I will travel to the region in the coming days and look forward to meeting with Foreign Minister (Israel, Gabi Ashkenazi) and other officials, Israelis, Palestinians and (countries) in the region,” Blinken said in a post a few hours after the truce after 11 days of bloody clashes.
Mr Blinken briefed his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi on the phone and “welcomed” the ceasefire agreement.
In their discussion, the two foreign ministers “expressed their gratitude for Egypt’s efforts and mediation”, the role of which was also praised by US President Joe Biden during his speech by the White House.
Earlier, Anthony Blinken said he was prepared to go to the region “if it helps to go beyond violence” and “at the right time” during his visit to Greenland, where he wrapped up an Arctic tour.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was officially implemented at 02:00 (local time and Greek time), after eleven days of hostilities, the deadliest since the 2014 war.
The deal was facilitated by Egypt, a regional power with ties to both Israel and Hamas, the ruling Islamist group in the Gaza Strip, described as a “terrorist” organization by the Jewish state, the United States and the European Union.
Joe Biden called the ceasefire “a real opportunity” to make progress towards peace in the Middle East.
