Fragile Ceasefire In Israel, Gaza After Attacks

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Worthy News

JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – A fragile Egypt-brokered cease-fire between Israel’s army and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip appeared to hold Sunday after nearly 1,500 rockets reigned down on Israel in a five-day clash that killed dozens of people, mostly Palestinians.

Pope Francis, who had appealed “for peace in the Holy Land,” said Sunday he prayed that the ceasefire remains. “May weapons be silenced because arms can never obtain security and stability. Rather, they only succeed in destroying any hope for peace.”

Egypt’s efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and the armed Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement saw most violence come to a sudden end, despite reports of minor breaches.

With the truce in force, the Israeli Defence Ministry said the Kerem Shalom crossing would reopen for trucks along with the Erez crossing, the only pedestrian passage between Gaza and Israel.

Israel also announced that all security restrictions were lifted. The United States welcomed the ceasefire and praised Cairo for brokering it.

Yet Israel’s government said the ceasefire agreement means “quiet will be met with quiet” and warned that if Israel is attacked or threatened, it will defend itself.

MANY ROCKETS

The Israeli military reported that before the ceasefire began, at least 1,469 rockets were launched toward Israel from Gaza throughout the five days, killing two people.

In response, Israel launched hundreds of air strikes that local authorities said killed at least 33 Palestinians and injured more than 150 others.

At least 13 civilians were among those killed in the Gaza Strip, including women and children as young as four years old, Palestinian health officials said.

Israel has consistently said it targets only militants and related terror groups.

However, Israel also says that militants have placed weapons in crowded areas using civilians as human shields.

In recent days Israel says it killed several militants, including the head of the PIJ’s rocket force and his deputy.

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