Israel and Hamas have agreed to end hostilities in the Gaza Strip after 11 days of fighting as an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire deal came into force early Friday. The latest conflict ended inconclusively, with both Israel and Hamas claiming victory in what was the worst round of violence between both sides since 2014.
The truce, which also included the Islamic Jihad, was accepted by Israeli and Hamas leaders on Thursday evening. Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying that Israel’s security cabinet had “unanimously accepted […] the Egyptian initiative for a mutual ceasefire without pre-conditions.” The text also made a claim about “Israel’s significant achievements in the operation, some of which are unprecedented.”
Hamas, on the other hand, was quick to claim victory against Israel. The group’s spokesperson, Abdelatif al-Qanou, said that Israel’s announcement was a “declaration of defeat,” but added that Hamas intended to honour the deal. However, the group also demanded that Israel end its violations in Jerusalem and address the damages caused by its airstrikes in Gaza. “It is true the battle ends today but Netanyahu and the whole world should know that our hands are on the trigger and we will continue to grow the capabilities of this resistance,” a Hamas official told Reuters. The official also stressed the need for Israel to protect the Al Aqsa mosque and end the eviction of Palestinians from their homes. Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad official Ali Barakeh called Netanyahu’s remarks declaring a truce as “a victory to the Palestinian people.”
Despite both Israel and Hamas claiming victory, both sides have been severely affected by the recent round of fighting. Over 230 people died in Gaza, including more than 60 children, as a resulted of Israeli airstrikes, which pounded the enclave for almost two weeks in a row. Hamas now faces the challenging task of reconstructing Gaza, which has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade for 15 years. While Israel claims that it killed more than 130 militants, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have said that only 20 of their fighters were killed in the fighting. Israel’s aerial offensive has also damaged hospitals, clinics, schools, and power facilities in Gaza, making life more difficult for already vulnerable civilians.
Militants in Gaza launched more than 4000 rockets into Israel over the last 11 days; 12 Israelis, including three foreigners, were killed in the rocket attacks, which also caused widespread damage to property and infrastructure in Israel, especially in the southern part of the country. While Hamas’ missiles mostly targeted Israeli cities in the South like Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Beersheba, projectiles were also launched at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
While the cessation of hostilities was welcomed by countries across the globe, right-wing lawmakers, including many of PM Netanyahu’s allies in Israel, condemned the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Religious Zionism’s Bezalel Smotrich warned Netanyahu that if the agreement with Hamas includes anything related to Jerusalem “you can forget about forming a government.” Yisrael Beitenu member Avigdor Lieberman, meanwhile, blamed the PM for enabling Hamas, arguing that he led the group to stock missiles and attack Israel. “The one who nurtured Hamas and enabled it to get to where it is today is Netanyahu,” Liberman said. Likud Member of Knesset Gadi Yevarkan said on Twitter that a ceasefire without the return of bodies of Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas in 2014 “is a reward for terrorism” and the Israeli government had a “moral duty to return the boys now.”
However, United States (US) President Joe Biden praised the deal between the conflict parties on Thursday, and said that the US is “committed to working with the United Nations and other international stakeholders to provide rapid humanitarian assistance and to marshal international support for the people of Gaza.” Biden added that he intended to do this “in full partnership with the Palestinian Authority […] in a manner that does not permit Hamas to simply restock its military arsenal.” The President further mentioned that he had spoken with Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi about the deal. He also noted Egypt’s role in negotiating a ceasefire and praised Al-Sisi and other Egyptian officials for playing a “critical role” in ending the conflict.
Egyptian officials have been engaged in intense negotiations with officials from Israel and Hamas since the start of the fighting. It was reported that a delegation of Egyptian intelligence officials was in Israel and the Palestinian territories to broker a truce between both sides. In fact, prior to the ceasefire announcement, an Egyptian official told the Associated Press that the tensions in Jerusalem would be addressed soon.
The deal was also hailed by the people of Gaza, many of whom called the armistice a “victory” against Israel’s occupation. Several Gazans also took to the streets to praise the role of Hamas and its leaders. A Gazan resident told Reuters that “our resistance men [Hamas] forced them [Israel] to the ceasefire.” People in Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem also celebrated the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Fighting between Israel and Hamas erupted earlier this month amid violent clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians in Jerusalem over Israeli restrictions imposed on Palestinian holy sites and the potential eviction of several Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.
Israel, Hamas Agree to Egypt-Brokered Ceasefire in Gaza
The latest conflict ended inconclusively as both Israel and Hamas claimed victory in what was the worst round of violence between both sides since 2014.
May 21, 2021
Palestinians celebrate in the streets following a ceasefire, in Gaza City SOURCE: MOHAMMED SALEM/REUTERS