Cease-fire takes effect in Gaza
GAZA — A cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or PIJ, took effect late on Sunday in a bid to end nearly three days of violence that killed dozens and disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands.
The flare-up was the worst fighting between Israel and Gaza militant groups since Israel and Hamas fought an 11-day conflict last year, adding to the destruction and misery that have plagued blockaded Gaza for years.
The Egyptian-brokered ceasefire took effect at 11:30 pm.
Israeli strikes and militant rockets continued in the minutes leading up to the beginning of the truce, and Israel said it would “respond strongly” if the cease-fire was violated.
The cease-fire agreement included an Egyptian follow-up on releasing Palestinian prisoners, including Bassam al-Saadi, a senior leader of the PIJ, who was arrested last week in the West Bank, and Khalil Awawda, whose health is deteriorating after months of hunger strike, said Mohammad al-Hindi, head of the PIJ political department.
It also included easing the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip since 2007 and transporting fuel to the power station, which was recently shut down for lack of fuel and has influenced the health system in the coastal enclave.
Intensified contacts
In a news release, Egyptian mediators said they have intensified contacts with all parties to contain the escalation, called for a “comprehensive and mutual cease-fire” and will “work to have Awawda released and transferred for treatment, and work to have al-Saadi released as soon as possible”.
Meanwhile, both warring parties said they reserve the right to reuse force even with the cease-fire.
In a statement, the PIJ welcomed the cease-fire and said “we emphasize our right to respond to any Zionist aggression”.
Lior Hayat, head of Israel’s National Public Diplomacy Directorate, said “if the cease-fire is violated, Israel reserves the right to respond forcefully”.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday welcomed the announcement of a cease-fire in Gaza and Israel, his spokesman said.
But Guterres is deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries, including children, from airstrikes on Gaza and the indiscriminate firing of rockets toward Israel from population centers in Gaza by the PIJ and other militant groups, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a statement.
Israeli aircraft had pummeled targets in Gaza since Friday, while the PIJ militant group fired hundreds of rockets at Israel in response.
At least 44 Palestinians, including 15 children, have been killed, and 360 injured since Israel began an offensive on the Gaza Strip on Friday, according to a statement released by the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza late on Sunday.
With the cease-fire holding after nearly three days of violence, Gaza’s sole power plant resumed operations on Monday as Israel began reopening crossings into the territory.