Conflicts & War

Ceasefire between Israel, Islamic Jihad holds after days of fighting

Jerusalem, Aug 8 (EFE).- A ceasefire to end a flare-up in fighting between Israel and the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Gaza Strip held overnight Sunday into Monday morning.

The situation along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip remained quiet since the Egyptian-brokered agreement to halt three days of violence that left 44 Palestinians, including 15 children, dead and more than 360 injured took effect late Sunday.

“What is needed is a careful and gradual return to the normal routine,” Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav said, according to local media.

Israel on Monday also announced the re-opening of border crossings into the coastal enclave for humanitarian purposes.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said the opening of the border crossings and a total return to routine would be possible after new assessments of the situation.

The border crossing reopening would allow humanitarian aid and fuel necessary for the only power plant operating the Strip, among other goods, into Gaza.

The Israeli army launched its “preventive offensive” against PIJ in Gaza on Friday.

During the last three days, PIJ fired almost 1,200 rockets into the Israeli territory, the majority of them were either intercepted or fell in empty areas, according to figures by the Israeli military.

Israel, meanwhile, attacked at least 160 PIJ targets, which it said were military targets but also included apartment buildings, houses and other civilian structures.EFE

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