Israeli-Hamas Ceasefire Off To Rocky Start
Comments (7)
Gaza rockets fired into Israel shortly after the two sides reached a ceasefire. (Creative Commons)
The Egyptian-sponsored ceasefire, which came into effect at 9 p.m. local time, was a push to halt an eight-day conflict around the Gaza Strip that has left more than 140 Palestinians and five Israelis dead. Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the rockets landed in open areas and inflicted no damage or casualties.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said Israel had called off all air strikes on Gaza after the ceasefire began.
SEE ALSO: Israel And Hamas Reach Gaza Ceasefire After Eight Days Of Fighting
Haaretz reported that the Israel Defense Forces struck a home in the Gaza city of Khan Younis belonging to a leader of the Islamic Jihad movement. Hamas claimed that the attack was orchestrated after the ceasefire started, but the IDF said it occurred before the announcement.
In Gaza, witnesses reported an explosion shortly after the truce took effect, but there were no casualties and the cause of the blast was unknown, Reuters reported.
Islamic Jihad General-Secretary Ramadan Shallah called the battle a setback for Israel.
"The recent battle was a major failure for Israel," Shallah said. "Despite the massive American and European blitz against the resistance, they have failed."
The ceasefire announcement came after negotiations involving Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.
SEE MORE: Israeli Airstrikes Kill 3 Palestinian Journalists
"The people of this region deserve the chance to live in peace," Clinton said in USA Today. Clinton also added that the rocket attacks must end for the ceasefire to hold strong.
More from USA Today:
President Obama spoke by phone Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thanking him for agreeing to the cease-fire and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Israel's security.
"The president made clear that no country can be expected to tolerate rocket attacks against civilians," the White House said. "The president expressed his appreciation for the prime minister's efforts to work with the new Egyptian government to achieve a sustainable cease-fire and a more durable solution to this problem."
The truce came on a day when a bomb ripped through an Israeli bus in Tel Aviv and wounded at least 27 people. Rosenfeld said an investigation is underway to determine whether the bomb was planted under the bus or the work of suicide bomber.
Read more of Neon Tommy’s coverage on the Gaza Strip here.
