The Israel/Gaza ceasefire has officially commenced. There have been no explosions since the official ceasefire starting point at 9 p.m. local time (2 p.m. EDT), but low flying drones can still be heard flying overhead in Gaza.
Agence France-Presse has published the text of the ceasefire agreement:
Israel shall stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip land sea and air, including incursions and targeting of individuals.
All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel, including rocket attacks and all attacks along the border.
Opening the crossings and facilitating the movement of people and transfer of goods and refraining from restricting residents’ free movements and targeting residents in border areas. Procedures of implementation shall be dealt with after 24 hours from the start of the ceasefire.
Other matters as may be requested shall be addressed.
Implementation mechanism.
Setting up the zero hour understanding to enter into effect.
Egypt shall receive assurances from each party that the party commits to what was agreed upon.
Each party shall commit itself not to perform any acts that would breach this understanding. In case of any observations, Egypt as a sponsor of this understanding, shall be informed to follow up.
Breaking 12:45 pm est:
Egypt announced a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas in a bid to end the week of fighting between the two, which has resulted in the death of of 140 Palestinians and untold casualties and damage to the heavily populated Gaza strip.
Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr said the truce would take effect at 9 p.m. local time (2 p.m. EDT.)
The announcement was made with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said an emerging outline of a cease-fire agreement called for a 72-hour truce and further talks for long-term agreements, including a promise to examine ways to ease its blockade of Gaza.
However, Israeli sources told Reuters that although Israel had agreed to a truce, it would not lift its blockade of the Palestinian territory. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to make an announcement within the hour.
Originally posted on Common Dreams.
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