Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire after 11 days of deadly airstrikes and violence in Palestine that took the lives of over 250 people, including innocent children.
The ceasefire came after Egypt brokered a truce between Israel and Hamas, which was agreed following mounting international pressure to end the violence and bloodshed which erupted on May 10.
Celebrations broke out in the streets of Gaza just minutes after the ceasefire came into force as people honked horns and fired guns into the air. Meanwhile, the people in the occupied West Bank also took the street.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that the security cabinet had “unanimously accepted the recommendation of all of the security officials… to accept the Egyptian initiative for a mutual ceasefire without pre-conditions.”
Hamas and Islamic Jihad also confirmed the ceasefire in statements.
“This is the euphoria of victory,” said Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas figure, in front of a crowd of thousands of Palestinians who had gathered in the streets to celebrate.
“With utter happiness I have received a phone call from President Biden in which we have exchanged visions around reaching a formula that would calm the current conflict between Israel and Gaza, our vision was in tune about managing the conflict between all parties with diplomacy.” said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. “We remain committed to work with the United Nations and other international stakeholders to provide rapid humanitarian assistance and to marshal international support for the people in Gaza and in the Gaza reconstruction efforts.” he said.
“I believe the Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and securely and enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity and democracy.
“My administration will continue our quiet, relentless diplomacy toward that end. I believe we have a genuine opportunity to make progress and I am committed to working for it.” said US President Joe Biden.
Read more: Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shares a stupid tweet.
