Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip took to the streets last night to celebrate the start of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Just after 1 a.m. Dutch time, when the truce started, people came out cheering. There was also shot in the air.
Triumphant texts were also heard from speakers of mosques. Reuters news agency writes that there was talk of “the victory of the resistance over the occupiers”.
The ceasefire came last night established, after mediation of Egypt. Other countries too, including the United States, had put pressure on Israel and Hamas over the outbreak of violence over the past week and a half.
According to the German news agency DPA, there were no reports of violations in the first hours after the file was entered. Both sides have warned against retaliation if the other does not adhere to the ceasefire.
Biden: Sincere chance for peace
US President Biden has expressed support for the ceasefire. He says he sees “a genuine opportunity” to eventually achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians. In a statement, he emphasized that the US still stands behind Israel’s right to self-defense.
Biden also pledged humanitarian and reconstruction aid in Gaza. In doing so, he only wants to work with the Palestinian Authority, not with Hamas. The latter organization, which is in charge in the Gaza Strip, is seen as a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union, among others.
Violence just before deadline
Mutual violence continued in the last hours before the ceasefire came into effect. For example, several missiles were fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel and the Israeli army also carried out at least one air attack, reports Reuters.
In total, the violence has claimed the lives of at least 232 Palestinians in the past eleven days, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. In Israel, twelve people died according to that country.
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