A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants could be the beginning of the end for violence in Gaza
Weapons from both sides were fired minutes before an overnight ceasefire came into effect in Gaza.
The Egypt-brokered deal saw no further violence reported overnight.
At least 44 people have died since the conflict erupted again in May last year.
“Our fight is not with the people of Gaza. Islamic Jihad is an Iranian proxy that wants to destroy the State of Israel and kill innocent Israelis. The head of Islamic Jihad is in Tehran as we speak. We will do whatever it takes to defend our people.”
YAIR Lapid, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL
Meanwhile, the U.S. and United Nations continue to urge both sides to observe the ceasefire and work towards peace.
U.S. President Joe Biden said all parties need “to fully implement [it] and to ensure fuel and humanitarian supplies are flowing into Gaza”.
President Biden is also urging for an investigation into the deaths of civilians.
The leader of the Islamic Jihad’s operations in southern Gaza, Khaled Mansour, was killed over the weekend. Israel believes he is responsible for several acts of terror against Israelis.
“We appreciate the Egyptian efforts that had been exerted to end the Israeli aggression against our people,” a spokesperson for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad said.
However, Israeli officials believe they have “the right to respond strongly” if the ceasefire is violated.
