Gaza, Nov 14: Palestinian groups in violence-stricken Gaza Strip have agreed to a ceasefire mediated by Egypt with Israel on the condition that Israel respects it as well.
"Egypt's efforts have been able to achieve a ceasefire between the resistance and the Zionist enemy," a statement issued by the Palestinian groups read. "The resistance will respect this declaration as long as the Zionist enemy respects it," the statement highlighted, according to Al Jazeera.
Celebrations ensued after the announcement in Gaza City, with Palestinians spilling out into the streets for the declaration of victory.
The Hamas-led groups accepted the truce on Tuesday to "restart the situation that prevailed up until this latest military escalation." It was further reported that "the Israelis do not confirm or deny such things, but Israeli media are reporting, citing an unnamed official, that Palestinian factions tried through four separate mediators to request a ceasefire".
Ismail Haniya, a senior Hamas official, had earlier said in a statement, "Should the Occupation [Israel] stop its aggression a return to the ceasefire understandings will be possible."
The Palestine Liberation Organisation blamed Israel for the increase in violence, while countries like Germany and Turkey condemned Israel's strikes that left seven Palestinians and one Israeli dead.
A Hamas military commander along with six other Palestinians died in a cross-border operation conducted by the Israeli Special Forces in Gaza on late Sunday night, provoking retaliatory fire which saw over 400 rockets or mortar bombs being launched by Hamas and other armed groups in the Strip.
11 Israelis were injured in the retaliatory fire, while Hamas' al-Aqsa TV channel's main building was destroyed by the Israeli counterattack which saw the interception of 60 rockets by Israel Defense Force's Iron Dome aerial defense system.
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