The Egyptian-brokered deal ends a spate of cross-border firefights between Israel and the Gaza Strip in recent days, the most serious since a bloody 10-day war in 2021.
A building damaged by fighting in the town of Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip on May 13, 2023. Photo: Reuters
"According to the agreement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, Egypt announces that a ceasefire between the Palestinian and Israeli sides has been reached," a text of the agreement reads.
"Both sides will adhere to the ceasefire, which will include ceasing the targeting of civilians, destroying homes, ceasing the targeting of individuals immediately upon the entry into force of the ceasefire," the statement added.
Israel's national security adviser has thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for Cairo's efforts, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Islamic Jihad Organization also confirmed the agreement. "We declare that we accept the Egyptian announcement and we will abide by it as long as the occupying forces (Israel) abide by it," said the group's spokesman, Dawoud Shehab.
Even before the ceasefire was finalized, both sides continued to exchange fire, with air raid sirens blaring as far as the outskirts of Tel Aviv and the Israeli military announcing that it had struck Jihad targets in response.
Israel launched its first wave of airstrikes early Tuesday, saying they were targeting Jihad commanders who had been planning attacks in Israel.
In response, Jihad fired more than 1,000 rockets, forcing Israelis to flee into bomb shelters. During five days of fighting, Israel killed six senior Jihad commanders and destroyed several military facilities.
At least 10 civilians, including women and children, were also killed in Gaza during the fighting. Meanwhile, two people - an Israeli woman and a Palestinian labourer - were killed by Palestinian rockets in Israel.
Huy Hoang (according to Reuters)
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