The ceasefire in Israel and the Gaza Strip has come into force, but air defense sirens are going off and new attacks are being reported.
The truce was to come into effect at 10.30 p.m. Shortly after the cease-fire took effect, the Israeli army announced that it was attacking “a wide range” of Palestinian militant targets in Gaza in response to rocket fire moments earlier.
– In response to rockets fired at Israeli territory, the army is currently attacking a wide range of targets belonging to the Islamic Holy War in the Gaza Strip, it said in a statement.
The army issued several air strikes warning of incoming rocket fire shortly before the ceasefire, including at 10:29 p.m. At the same time, the anti-aircraft sirens go off in southern Israel.
New airstrikes against Gaza
Egypt meklet
The truce between Israel and Islamic Holy War (Jihad) was first confirmed by Islamic Holy War, and then also by Israel.
Egypt has been a mediator between the parties, and suggested that the ceasefire should start at 10.30 pm, which was the case.
– We can confirm that the ceasefire will come into force at 23.30 (local time). Israel will thank Egypt for its efforts. If the ceasefire is broken, Israel reserves the right to retaliate, says a statement from Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s office shortly before the ceasefire.
Release of prisoners
– The wording of the Egyptian ceasefire agreement was finalized a short time ago. The agreement includes Egyptian commitment to work for the release of two prisoners, Bassem al-Saadi and Khalil Awadweh, senior Islamic Holy War member Mohammad al-Hindi said in a statement.
Al-Saadi is among the more senior figures in the Islamic Holy War’s political department. He was recently arrested in the occupied West Bank. Militia soldier Awadweh is also in Israeli captivity.
