Israel, Hamas Declare "Victory" in Gaza War
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared "victory" Wednesday in the seven-week war against the Hamas in the Gaza Strip that killed more than 2200 people.
In a prime-time address on the national television, he said that the military campaign by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement was "hit hard and got none of its demands" under the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire deal, BBC reports.
On the other hand, Hamas claims that the truce - after 50 days of a bloody battle - represents its "victory"; residents of the Gaza Strip took part in a rally to celebrate.
The details of the ceasefire are still vague; it, however, delivered an immediate end to the weeks of fighting. It also promised on easing of Israel's blockade of Gaza so that humanitarian aid and construction goods can enter the region for the purpose of rebuilding the territory. The goods will go into the region under international supervision.
The UN's World Food Programme stated that Wednesday one of its convoys - carrying enough food to feed around 150,000 people for five days - had entered the Gaza Strip for the first time since 2007.
According to the Associated Press, Hamas' key demands will be addressed in another round of talks, which is expected to be held next month in Cairo, CBC News reports. Hamas urgently wants an end to the Israeli blockade; this includes reopening of and resuming operations at Gaza's sea and airport. The Palestinian faction also wants Egypt to once again open its Rafah border crossing, which is the territory's main gateway to the outside world.
On the other hand, the most important concern and demand of Israel is Hamas must be disarmed.
Scores of Palestinians were witnessed returning to their homes as the truce continued Wednesday. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed relief over the end of hostilities; but, he also added that the future of the civilians wholly depended on a sustainable truce.
"After 50 days of profound human suffering and devastating physical destruction, any violations of the ceasefire would be utterly irresponsible," he said.
