Unsteady truce is reached between terrorists in Israel and Gaza

The sides agreed that “another round of conflict” had come to a stop, but they also promised to strike back if “attacked or threatened.”

A truce negotiated by Egypt between Israel and the Gaza-based Palestinian terrorists aims to put a stop to the five-day cross-border attack wave. The cease-fire began on Saturday at 10 p.m. local time, however the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported occasional hostilities after that time.

The southern region of the country, where air raid sirens could be heard, was reportedly hit by two missiles, according to the IDF. According to the IDF, one rocket was shot down, and a second one fell harmlessly in an open space. Israeli forces launched fresh attacks in Gaza in response.

Following the Israeli government’s and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a group with its stronghold in Gaza, confirming the truce, there were reports of a brief exchange of fire. On Saturday night, PIJ leader Ziyad Nakhaleh declared the “end of another round of conflict” with Israel.

Tzachi Hanegbi, director of the Israeli National Security Council, issued a warning that “quiet will be met with quiet,” and that Israel would respond in kind if it were “attacked or threatened.”

When Israel bombarded what it claimed were militant-linked targets in Gaza on May 9, the most current flare-up began. Operation Shield and Arrow’s stated objective was to eliminate three senior PIJ members who had participated in earlier rocket strikes on Israeli cities, according to the IDF. The raid was met by a barrage of projectiles being fired across the border by the Palestinians.

According to the AP, since the battle began, more than 30 Palestinians have died, including at least 13 civilians. Rocket fire from Gaza killed at least two civilians in Israel.