Friday 21 May 2021

Ceasefire between Israel, Palestinian Groups in Gaza

TEL-AVIV (HAARETZ) – A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian groups controlling the Gaza Strip entered into force on Friday at 2 AM local time. Meanwhile, the parties were exchanging fire until the very last moment as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported more rocket strikes from Gaza just 12 minutes before the ceasefire started.

Israeli Home Front Command eases restrictions on gatherings and workplaces in southern Israel. The decision will come into effect in 6 AM Friday. While most restrictions were lifted, a decision regarding the reopening of the education system is slated for Saturday.

The truce was achieved after 11 days of intense rocket fire between the parties under Egypt’s active mediation. On Thursday, Israel’s Security Cabinet adopted a unilateral ceasefire at its special session, while Hamas agreed to the ceasefire with Cairo’s mediation.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has announced overnight into Friday of his intention to visit the Middle East and meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials.

During 11 days of Operation Guardian of the Walls, the Israeli military has killed some 200 Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives and destroyed more than 90 km of tunnel, IDF figures published Friday show.

However, the centrist party Yesh Atid’s Chairman Yair Lapid criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the ineffectiveness of Operation Guardian of the Walls. “Israeli citizens and mainly Gaza border communities suffered heavy [rocket] fire, and didn’t get an accomplishment”, Lapid tweeted. “Netanyahu’s failures stretch from Meron to Gaza, from Temple Mount to Lod. It’s time for him to go”, he added.

The exchange of rocket fire between Israel and the Gaza Strip began on May 10 and was triggered by riots at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police erupted after an Israeli court had ruled to evict several Palestinian families from the city’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and hand the property over to Jewish settlers. According to latest data, 232 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and at least 12 Israelis have been killed.

Forum posts

dhaman (21 May 2021, 17:23)

Victory for Hamas, but very, very, sad for the loss of human lives which shouldn’t have to be.

Dan86 (21 May 2021, 18:51)

I was in Chicago last week, on Sunday the traffic in the middle of the city was blocked off by Police , there was a pro Palestinian protest , most of them carrying anti Israel slogans. I wonder how all these rallies in big cities were organized quickly??? No doubt they got organized in mosques.This is a true jihad but in some sort of a modren way.

Rahman Mirza (22 May 2021, 00:18)

Thanks God for the victory and honour he bestowed on the Palestinian warriors and congratulations for victory over the criminal Zionist regime.

Any message or comments?

dhaman (21 May 2021, 17:23)

Victory for Hamas, but very, very, sad for the loss of human lives which shouldn’t have to be.
Dan86 (21 May 2021, 18:51)

I was in Chicago last week, on Sunday the traffic in the middle of the city was blocked off by Police , there was a pro Palestinian protest , most of them carrying anti Israel slogans. I wonder how all these rallies in big cities were organized quickly??? No doubt they got organized in mosques.This is a true jihad but in some sort of a modren way.
Rahman Mirza (22 May 2021, 00:18)

Thanks God for the victory and honour he bestowed on the Palestinian warriors and congratulations for victory over the criminal Zionist regime.