The smoldering Abu Khadra interior ministry compound, hit by 7-8 missiles last night in Gaza City. Photograph by Erin Cunningham
A ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas has come into effect, with Israel agreeing to end all hostilities and targeted killing and Hamas stopping attacks against Israel.
Israel has agreed to “stop all hostilities on the Gaza Strip, land, sea and air including incursions and targeting of individuals” and “All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel, including rocket attacks, and attacks along the border” according to the agreement. The ceasefire came into effect in 19:00 GMT with no fire heard from either side since then.
At least 157 people, mostly Palestinians, have died since the flare-up of violence began last week.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Kamel Amr announced the ceasefire at a news conference in Cairo with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who said:
“Now we have to focus on reaching a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security, dignity and legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis alike”
