Tel Aviv/Gaza, August 8 : A ceasefire negotiated by Egypt between Israel and Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militant group has come into force following three days of fighting. The ceasefire that both sides agreed to, entered into effect at around 11:30 p.m.on Sunday.It came after an targeted Israeli military attack which killed numerous top-ranking PIJ members in the Gaza Strip, including military chief Taisir al-Jabari, as well as Islamic Jihad’s southern commander Khaled Mansour, according to DPA news agency.
The PIJ declared that it is insisting on the rights “to take action against any Israeli aggression” and the Jewish state also emphasized that it “maintains the right to react with vigor” in the event that the ceasefire ceasefire is violated.
The Times of Israel reported that the country’s Iron Dome defence system intercepted an incoming projectile from Gaza just minutes after the ceasefire entered force.
The newspaper also mentioned the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as having announced at around 11.30 p.m.an attack on an Palestinian village to demolish the residences of two suspected terrorists who are accused of conducting a fatal terror attack earlier in the year.
The ceasefire, however initially appeared to be in place after an initial shaky beginning, according to the newspaper.
A top-ranking delegation from Egypt arrived in Gaza on Sunday evening to discuss the agreement, dpa learned from security sources.
Both sides have said they are happy with Egyptian efforts to mediate.
In the year 2000, Cairo successfully brokered a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas which ended eleven days of fighting.
UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland acknowledged the truce and expressed gratitude to Egypt “for its vital role in setting up the cease-fire” via Twitter.
“The situation is very fragile, and I’m urging everyone to adhere to the cease-fire,” he added.
Wennesland added that the UN “has been intensely involved and working closely with Egypt in facilitating an end to the crisis and restoring of peace” and pledged to “continue to work with all parties involved to end the conflict as quickly as possible”.
The Israeli military conducted a massive operation, dubbed “Breaking Dawn” against the PIJ on the 5th of August.Al-Jabari, Mansour and other PIJ members were killed.
The group is closely connected to Iran is classified as a terrorist organisation by the EU as well as the US.
On the 6th of August the army struck a number of areas in the Gaza Strip.Israeli towns bordering the border of the enclave that is under siege were on alert for rockets early on Sunday.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 44 people were killed and 360 wounded in the attack, including five children and four women.
Israel is blaming Islamic Jihad for the deaths of five children and one adult in the Jabalia refugee camp.According to military sources the victims were killed by a jihadi misguided rocket.
First time since the start of the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, rocket alarm was also heard in Jerusalem as well as Tel Aviv on Sunday.
Residents have reported explosions.In Tel Aviv, people rushed to shelters.
Since August 5 More than 900 rockets were fired towards Israel via Gaza.Gaza Strip, according to the IDF.
The Palestinian Health Ministry warned that medical supplies in the Gaza Strip would be cut off in less than 24 hours because of the closure of the sole electric power station in the Enclave.
The generators for emergency use of the hospitals were nearly empty in the context of the ongoing blockade of the crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Israel stopped the entry of fuel into its territory on August 1st in response to the possibility of attacks after the detention of the Islamic Jihad leader.
Israel increased the size of its blockade of the Gaza Strip in 2007, which was later extended by Egypt.
The two countries support the move with security concerns.
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