Israel-Palestinian New Three-Day Truce Takes Effect
Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to a three-day truce in Gaza holding their fire early Monday - before the 72-hour ceasefire took effect at 2100 GMT. The latest truce is the result of "intense mediation" by Egypt, urging both sides to hold talks to reach some agreement; hence maintaining peace for a longer time, BBC reports.
Last week, Egypt had brokered a three-day truce; however, fighting resumed just after the 72-hour ceasefire ended. But, the international community hope that the latest ceasefire will help negotiators from both sides - who are meeting in Cairo Monday - strike a deal, leading to a longer period of peace in the region.
The negotiators from Israel had flown back once the previous ceasefire came to an end Friday as both the sides could not reach a deal to extend the 72-hour truce, as a result of which violence resumed in Gaza.
A Hamas official confirmed that Palestinian groups had accepted Egypt's call and that the Cairo talks would recommence. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, "These new negotiations would be the last chance for a deal."
According to Reuters, there are no immediate reports of breach of the ceasefire; however, Hamas took responsibility for firing rockets till Tel Aviv for the first time since the expiry of the previous truce Friday, barely minutes before the new truce came into effect.
Even though the Israeli military made no comment, the Israeli media reported that a rocket hit an open area in Tel Aviv and at least two other rockets were intercepted in a town south of the region.
On the other hand, Israeli air strikes also continued throughout Sunday evening. Since the beginning of the conflict on July 8, around 2,000 people have been killed.
