Israel, Hamas agree on ceasefire; 244 lives lost in 11-day conflict

By Asianet Newsable English | First Published May 21, 2021, 8:44 AM IST

However, media reports citing Israel's security cabinet said the possibility that its ceasefire to continue will depend on the reality on the ground.

After 11 days of intense fighting, Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire that would end the conflict that has claimed at least 232 Palestinian lives and that of 12 Israelis.

The Egypt-brokered truce deal saw Israel's security cabinet voting unanimously favouring a 'mutual and unconditional'. Hamas confirmed the mutual and unconditional ceasefire in a statement and said it would start at 2 AM on Friday (4.30 AM IST Friday).

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However, media reports citing Israel's security cabinet said the possibility that its ceasefire to continue will depend on the reality on the ground.

The Israeli aerial and artillery onslaught has taken a toll on Gaza's infrastructure, including power grids, water supply, schools, hospitals and sewer systems.

During the 11-day conflict, Hamas has fired over 4,000 rockets at Israel from Gaza, killing 12 people, mostly civilians.

The ceasefire came a day after the United States mounted pressure on Israel to end its bombardment of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Soon after the ceasefire was announced, US President Joe Biden said that his country remains committed to working with international stakeholders and the United Nations to ensure humanitarian assistance and to rally international support for the people of Gaza and in their reconstruction efforts.

Biden said he believed that the Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and enjoy freedom, prosperity and democracy.

Welcoming the ceasefire, UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab said that all sides must work to make the ceasefire durable and end the unacceptable cycle of violence and loss of civilian life.

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