Israel and Gaza Palestinian groups declare ceasefire.
Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza have agreed to a ceasefire mediated by Egypt after five days of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army reported targeting the Islamic Jihad organization throughout the night with pre-dawn operations, hitting command centers and rocket launchers. Gaza retaliated with rockets, to which the Israeli defense system “Iron Dome” was activated to neutralize. While most rockets were blocked, there was loss of life and property in some settlements. Israel also conducted a counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank’s Balata Refugee Camp, with two Palestinians losing their lives. The ceasefire agreement includes an end to the targeting of civilians and the destruction of settlements, and Egypt’s adherence to the parties’ ceasefire. The ceasefire began at 22:00 local time and was celebrated in Gaza. However, Israeli planes hit some points in Gaza after the ceasefire came into effect.
