Ceasefire between Israeli-Palestinian rebels

KATHMANDU: FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021 – A ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian rebels in Gaza has ended, ending an 11-day war that has left nearly 250 people dead. The ceasefire started at 2 pm local time on Friday.

The Palestinian rebels and Israel’s security cabinet have approved an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire. There have been reports of gunfire in Gaza. But rocket fire towards Israel has stopped.

Egypt is sending security delegations to Israel and Gaza to enforce a ceasefire. Hamas says there have been some undisclosed agreements on East Jerusalem. But Israel has denied those claims.

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US President Joe Biden has welcomed the ceasefire. He said it provided an opportunity for progress in the Middle East. Speaking ahead of the ceasefire, he said he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and congratulated him on ending the fighting.

Biden also thanked Egyptian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for mediating the ceasefire. He said the United States was committed to supporting humanitarian action in Gaza.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has called on all sides to make a permanent ceasefire to end the cycle of violence in the region. But many right-wing politicians in Israel have condemned the ceasefire. –BBC