Israel-Hamas War Stops After 11 Days
Ending 11-day bloodshed that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip, both Israel and Hamas accepted an Egyptian-brokered deal and announced a cease-fire.
For the last 11 days of a dangerous war was going on between Israel and the Palestinian Militant Hamas group in Gaza. The Israeli military says Hamas fired more than 4,300 rockets towards Israel and Israel has struck more than 1,000 militant targets in Gaza. Israel says they killed 225 terrorists during the fightin. In Israel 12 people, including two children, were killed. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 243 people, including more than 100 women and children, were killed in Gaza, Hamas has not given casualty figures for fighters. Because of the rising deaths and violence, Egypt intereved and brokered a deal between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the country, after a late-night meeting of the Security Cabinet, accepted the Egyptian proposal. Hamas quickly followed suit and said it would honor the deal. A ceasefire was announced on 21st May at 2am. Both Israel and Hamas claimed victory in the conflict.
Egypt will send two security delegations to Israel and Gaza to ensure the implementation of the truce. On the day the ceasefire was announced fresh clashes broke out at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound. Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said, “Palestinians had thrown stones at officers, and that "riot" suppressing measures had been taken in response.” Israel has temporarily opened a crossing into Gaza, allowing food, fuel and medicine into the territory. The country has also lifted emergency restrictions inside Israeli borders.
After the announcement of the ceasefire, Gaza's streets are bursting back into life. For the first time in almost 2 weeks people have been able to go outside in relative safety. Entire families step over rubble and children tiptoe through smashed glass. We will have to wait and watch what happens next.
