GAZA, May 21 (NNN-WAFA) – An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement came into effect early today, at 2:00 a.m. Palestinian time, between Israel and militant groups led by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
As soon as it turned 2:00, loudspeakers of the mosques all over the Gaza Strip shouted Allahu Akbar (God is great), celebrating the end of more than 11 days of tit-for-tat trade of fire between Israel and Hamas-led militants in the Gaza Strip.
Militants fired into the air, while tens of thousands of people took to the streets, while whistling and shouting Allahu Akbar.
Earlier yesterday, Hamas armed wing announced that, it halted firing rockets in response to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire reached with Israel. Qatar, the United Nations and other countries joined the mediation.
Spokesman of al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas armed wing, said in a recorded speech, aired on the movement’s Al-Aqsa Television that, Hamas militants halted firing rockets at Israel, in response to the ceasefire agreement.
“We prepared strikes of rockets that cover all Israel from the city of Haifa, in the north to Ramon in the south, but we responded to the ceasefire, to watch the enemy’s behaviour until 2:00 a.m.,” said the spokesman.
He added, “Starting the rockets depends on the behaviour of the enemy (Israel) of totally halting its aggression on our people in the Gaza Strip.”
The spokesman, Abu Obeida, also said that, “the leaders of the occupation (Israel) are under a real test and the decision to resume the rocket strikes on all Israel is on the table.”
Earlier, several Hamas leaders announced that the Egyptian mediator informed the movement that a ceasefire was reached with Israel and it will come into effect at 2:00 a.m. Jerusalem time.
Over the past 11 days of tension between Israel and Hamas-led militant groups in the Gaza Strip, Israeli fighter jets carried out hundreds of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, and the militants fired rockets at Israel.
Israel said, 12 Israelis were killed and more than 100 injured by the rockets, fired from the Gaza Strip at towns and cities in central and southern Israel.
Yesterday, the health ministry in Gaza said, 232 Palestinians were killed, including 65 children, 39 women and 17 elderly, adding that, 1,900 were injured in the last 11 days.– NNN-WAFA
