Gaza-Israel: new three-day ceasefire begins
- 10 years ago
A new ceasefire extension between Israel and Hamas is in force following indirect talks between the two sides in Cairo.
A previous three-day ceasefire was due to end at 11 p.m. CET on Wednesday night.
Palestinian negotiator Azzam Ahmed said there was agreement on most points, but some issues remained.
“In the closing moments it was agreed to extend the ceasefire for for five more days. It will begin at midnight [local time] tonight and will end on Monday. Instead of 72 hours, it is 120 hours.”
Israel Defence Forces said eight rockets were launched at Israel but the firing stopped early on Thursday.
Hamas denied involvement.
Israel then launched airstrikes on Gaza.
Despite that rocky start, the extension of the ceasefire appeared to be holding.
Israeli Prime Minister’s spokesman Mark Regev said: “Israel has accepted the extension of the ceasefire. All along we have been ready for an unconditional extension of the ceasefire. But the problem has been Hamas. They are the wild card. They have violated or rejected ten specific ceasefires and we saw that again last night.”
Members of the Palestinian delegation said they would return to Cairo this weekend to begin more talks on Sunday.
A previous three-day ceasefire was due to end at 11 p.m. CET on Wednesday night.
Palestinian negotiator Azzam Ahmed said there was agreement on most points, but some issues remained.
“In the closing moments it was agreed to extend the ceasefire for for five more days. It will begin at midnight [local time] tonight and will end on Monday. Instead of 72 hours, it is 120 hours.”
Israel Defence Forces said eight rockets were launched at Israel but the firing stopped early on Thursday.
Hamas denied involvement.
Israel then launched airstrikes on Gaza.
Despite that rocky start, the extension of the ceasefire appeared to be holding.
Israeli Prime Minister’s spokesman Mark Regev said: “Israel has accepted the extension of the ceasefire. All along we have been ready for an unconditional extension of the ceasefire. But the problem has been Hamas. They are the wild card. They have violated or rejected ten specific ceasefires and we saw that again last night.”
Members of the Palestinian delegation said they would return to Cairo this weekend to begin more talks on Sunday.