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 authorities 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.
