After Israel and Islamic Jihad apparently agreed on a ceasefire, both sides fired rockets again. Egypt, which brokered the agreement, called on both sides to stick to the deal.
A ceasefire that was hoped for on Saturday evening following the recent fighting in the Middle East conflict has been delayed. Even after 10 p.m. local time (9 p.m. CEST) there were rocket attacks by militant Palestinians on Israeli towns, although the weapons should have been silent from 10 p.m.: A ceasefire between Israel and the militant Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad had been expected. However, Israeli media reported rocket alerts on Nirim and Ein Hashlosha near the Gaza border.
A leader of the jihad had previously confirmed on Egyptian television that an agreement had been reached with Israel. This was also confirmed by Israel’s National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegb, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. At the same time, Hanegb warned that Israel would defend itself in the event of further attacks. Hanegb thanked Egypt for its “great efforts” in mediating an end to the fighting.
Shortly after the agreement became known in the evening, militant Palestinians fired numerous rockets at Israel. The warning sirens also wailed in the greater Tel Aviv area and explosions could be heard. According to paramedics, three Israelis were injured on the way to shelters. In response, Israel’s air force again attacked targets in the coastal strip.
Egypt came into play as a mediator shortly after the violence broke out on Tuesday. However, negotiations on a ceasefire initially faltered. According to the army, there was already a kind of unofficial declaration of a ceasefire on Wednesday, which Israel adhered to – until rockets were again flown out of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military launched the “Arrow and Shield” military campaign with airstrikes against the jihad on Tuesday night. Since then, several high-ranking members of the groups have been deliberately killed. The organization, which is closely linked to Israel’s archenemy Iran, is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU and the USA. Palestinian militants fired more than a thousand rockets at Israeli towns in response.
More than 30 people were killed in the Gaza Strip, including several women and children. A woman and a Palestinian worker from the Gaza Strip were killed in rocket attacks in Israel.