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Israel-Gaza: Hopes as Gaza ceasefire comes into effect Israel-Gaza: Ceasefire holds overnight after days of violence
(about 8 hours later)
People attend the funeral ceremony of Palestinians, who lost their lives in Israel's attacks, in Rafah, Gaza on August 07, 2022People attend the funeral ceremony of Palestinians, who lost their lives in Israel's attacks, in Rafah, Gaza on August 07, 2022
A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants has come into effect after three days of violence which left at least 43 people dead. A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants held overnight, following three days of violence.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militants said the truce will begin at 23:30 local time (20:30 GMT), after talks moderated by Egyptian mediators. Isolated weapons fire from both sides in the minutes before and just after the Sunday night deadline failed to derail the Egypt-brokered truce.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid's office confirmed the ceasefire. At least 44 people have died in the most serious flare-up since an 11-day conflict in May 2021.
The latest violence is the most serious flare-up between Israel and Gaza since an 11-day conflict in May 2021. US and United Nations leaders urged both sides to continue to observe the ceasefire.
The Israeli military confirmed it was striking Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza as the ceasefire came into force in response to rockets fired just before, and Israeli media reported some isolated rocket fire from Gaza in the minutes after. In a statement, US President Joe Biden praised the truce and called on all parties "to fully implement [it] and to ensure fuel and humanitarian supplies are flowing into Gaza".
But the ceasefire largely appears to be holding since then. He also urged reports of civilian casualties to be investigated in a timely manner.
The Israeli military said it began the latest attack on sites in the Gaza Strip in response to threats from a militant group. It followed days of tensions after Israel arrested a senior PIJ member in the occupied West Bank. The ceasefire was mediated by Egypt - which has acted as an intermediary between Israel and Gaza in the past - over the course of Sunday.
By Sunday evening, the Palestinian health ministry said that 15 children had been confirmed among the 43 deaths recorded in the latest violence. Gaza's health ministry has blamed "Israeli aggression" for the deaths of Palestinians and for the more than 300 people wounded. But as it came into effect late on Sunday, the Israeli military confirmed it was striking Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in Gaza in response to rockets fired just before. Israeli media also reported some isolated rocket fire from Gaza in the minutes after the deadline.
Earlier on Sunday, rockets fired from Gaza reached Jerusalem for the first time since May last year. But no further violence was reported as the night wore on.
The ceasefire was mediated by Egypt over the course of the day. The latest violence began with Israeli attacks on sites in the Gaza Strip, which its military said was in response to threats from a militant group. It followed days of tensions after Israel arrested a senior PIJ member in the occupied West Bank.
By Sunday evening, the Palestinian health ministry said that 15 children had been confirmed among the 44 deaths recorded in the latest violence. Gaza's health ministry has blamed "Israeli aggression" for the deaths of Palestinians and for the more than 300 people wounded.
Israel accused PIJ militants of accidentally causing at least some of the deaths inside Gaza - claiming on Saturday that the group fired a stray rocket killing multiple children in Jabalia.
Concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where health officials warned that hospitals only had enough fuel to run generators for another two days, led to the ceasefire deal being agreed.
The Israel-Palestinian conflict explainedThe Israel-Palestinian conflict explained
The children who died in the 2021 conflictThe children who died in the 2021 conflict
Large crowds gathered on Sunday for the funerals of those killed in strikes on Rafah, in the south of the territory, including senior PIJ commander Khaled Mansour - the second top militant to have died. Demonstrations in support of Gaza have also been held in the West Bank city of Nablus. "We appreciate the Egyptian efforts that had been exerted to end the Israeli aggression against our people," PIJ spokesman Tareq Selmi said.
Reports of the ceasefire deal followed concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, as health officials warned that hospitals only had enough fuel to run generators for another two days.
"We appreciate the Egyptian efforts that had been exerted to end the Israeli aggression against our people," Islamic Jihad spokesman Tareq Selmi said.
Israel said that it "maintains the right to respond strongly" if the ceasefire is violated.Israel said that it "maintains the right to respond strongly" if the ceasefire is violated.
Israel accused PIJ militants of accidentally causing at least some of the deaths inside Gaza - claiming on Saturday that the group fired a stray rocket killing multiple children in Jabalia. The BBC has not been able to independently verify this claim. The latest conflict closely follows Israel's arrest of Bassem Saadi, reported to be the head of PIJ in the West Bank, a week ago.
The latest conflict closely follows Israel's arrest of Bassem Saadi, reported to be the head of PIJ in the West Bank, on Monday night.
He was held in the Jenin area as part of an ongoing series of arrest operations after a wave of attacks by Israeli Arabs and Palestinians that left 17 Israelis and two Ukrainians dead. Two of the attackers came from the Jenin district.He was held in the Jenin area as part of an ongoing series of arrest operations after a wave of attacks by Israeli Arabs and Palestinians that left 17 Israelis and two Ukrainians dead. Two of the attackers came from the Jenin district.
Large crowds gathered on Sunday for the funerals of those killed in strikes on Rafah, in the south of the territory, including senior PIJ commander Khaled Mansour - the second top militant to have died. Demonstrations in support of Gaza have also been held in the West Bank city of Nablus.
PIJ, which is one of the strongest militant groups operating in Gaza, is backed by Iran and has its headquarters in the Syrian capital Damascus.PIJ, which is one of the strongest militant groups operating in Gaza, is backed by Iran and has its headquarters in the Syrian capital Damascus.
It has been responsible for many attacks, including rocket-fire and shootings against Israel. It has been responsible for many attacks, including rocket fire and shootings against Israel.
In November 2019, Israel and PIJ fought a five-day conflict following the killing by Israel of a PIJ commander who Israel said had been planning an imminent attack. The violence left 34 Palestinians dead and 111 injured, while 63 Israelis needed medical treatment.In November 2019, Israel and PIJ fought a five-day conflict following the killing by Israel of a PIJ commander who Israel said had been planning an imminent attack. The violence left 34 Palestinians dead and 111 injured, while 63 Israelis needed medical treatment.
Israel said 25 of the Palestinians killed were militants, including those hit preparing to launch rockets.Israel said 25 of the Palestinians killed were militants, including those hit preparing to launch rockets.
Watch: Moment air strike hits building in GazaWatch: Moment air strike hits building in Gaza
Watch: Moment air strike hits building in GazaWatch: Moment air strike hits building in Gaza