Israeli Yedioth Aharonoth reported that a truce agreement, mediated by Egypt, was reached between Israel and the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip.The paper said that the truce came into effect starting Wednesday night at midnight.
A Palestinian official confirmed that Egypt is mediating to avoid further tension in the region, the Maan News Agency reported.
The official added that Cairo received a verbal commitment from Hamas to maintain a truce with Israel.
Meanwhile, an Israeli military official stated that ceasefire is a decision that is made by the political leadership in Tel Aviv, and added that the army is always ready for any escalation.
Maan stated that it contacted Ofir Gendelman, Arab Media spokesperson to the Arab media at the office of Israel Prime Minister’s Office, but he refused to comment on the issue.
On his part, spokesperson of the Popular Resistance Committee, Abu Mujahid, told Maan on Wednesday evening, that the Committees were not informed of any truce with Israel.
Abu Mujahid added that any Israeli military escalation will be met with an immediate and fierce retaliation.
It is worth mentioning that four Palestinians were assassinated by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, while dozens of residents were wounded. Six Palestinians were killed since Monday.
In related news, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that thirteen Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army since the beginning of the month, and more than 33 were injured.
