A ceasefire was in effect on the Gaza Strip Sunday, drawing people back into the streets after five days of cross-border exchanges killed at least 34 Palestinians and one Israeli.
The truce got off to a rough start after the final 30 minutes running up to the expected deadline saw a volley of fire. Dozens of rockets were launched from Gaza towards Israel, prompting renewed air strikes. Egypt brokered the latest ceasefire, saying it had secured agreement from both Israel and the Palestinian.
“Israel’s National Security Adviser Tsahi Hanegbi… thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and expressed the State of Israel’s appreciation for Egypt’s vigorous efforts to bring about a ceasefire,” a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office said.
– ‘What have we done?’ – For days, life in Gaza and Israeli communities near the border has been a daily routine of air strikes and sirens warning of incoming rocket fire.
Residents in the crowded Gaza Strip cowered indoors as the fighting raged, with streets empty and only a few shops and pharmacies open.— INP
