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The recent escalation in Gaza between Israel’s Defense Forces and Palestinian groups came to an end, according to a report by Reuters.
According to an unnamed Palestinian official, an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire was reached in the early hours of May 6th.
“The ceasefire understanding will begin Monday [May 6th] 04:30 (01:30 GMT),” the source said. A second Palestinian official confirmed that a deal was reached, as well a TV station belonging to Hamas.
At 7:00 A.M., the Israeli army announced all restrictions for residents of the south were lifted, and the Education Ministry said schools will open as usual.
Starting from the early hours on May 4th, hundreds of targets were struck by the Israeli Air Force. More than 600 rockets were launched from Gaza towards Israel.
The last 48 hours in Gaza:
We targeted 350 Islamic Jihad & Hamas targets including:
• rocket launch sites
• terror squads & operatives
• command and training centers
• weapon facilities
• observation posts
• military compoundsTerror targets civilians, we target terror. pic.twitter.com/9wSS22PEjt
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 6, 2019
The last 48 hours in Israel:
690 rockets fired from Gaza at Israeli civilians
240 Iron Dome Aerial Defense System interceptions
210,000 children had school cancelled
4 Israeli civilians killed— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 6, 2019
In the exchange, 23 Palestinians including two pregnant women and two infants were killed in the Israeli airstrikes.
Four Israelis were killed and four were wounded as rockets fell on the south of Israel.
An Israeli official said that the IDF’s strikes should have ended in the death of “seven hundred terrorists.”
ברמה הטקטית המערכה בעזה היתה חייבת להסתיים בשבע מאות מחבלים הרוגים (אחד על כל טיל) ובנזק פיזי אדיר לחמאס – שייקח להם שנים להתאושש ממנו ולהעלות על דעתם לתקוף שוב. אנחנו לא יכולים להרשות לעצמנו מיליון וחצי אזרחי הדרום במקלטים כל כמה שבועות. את הפתרון האסטרטגי שלי אתם כבר מכירים.
— בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) May 6, 2019
“Tactically speaking, the round in Gaza should have ended with 700 dead terrorists (one for every rocket) and with massive physical damage to Hamas – so that it would take them years to recover. We can’t afford having a million and a half citizens in shelters every few weeks.”
On May 5th, Israeli Prime Minister ordered the IDF to strengthen its forces and to continue its “massive strikes” on Gaza, prior to reaching the ceasefire.
Leader of Israel’s opposition Benny Gantz criticized the ceasefire agreement. Former chief of staff Benny Gantz said military deterrence with Hamas had been lost, and that the recent escalation in violence ended in “another surrender to the blackmail of Hamas and terrorist organizations.”
“All the government did, once again, is lay the next round of fighting at our door,” said Gantz. “We expect that if violence is renewed, the response will be severe. And that if quiet remains, it will be used for meaningful diplomatic initiatives that will bring the return of missing persons and fallen soldiers and will ensure long-term stability.”
US President Donald Trump further expressed support for Israel and completely shifted the blame on the Palestinians.
Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2019
A Hamas commander was killed by the IDF, after an airstrike struck his car on May 5th.
PRECISION STRIKE: Earlier today, we targeted Hamed Ahmed Khudari in Gaza. He was responsible for transferring Iranian money to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The funds were used to build the hundreds of rockets recently fired at Israel. Iran will need to find a new money man in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/2mv1oXLaB7
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 5, 2019
As usual, any and all blame is shifted on the Palestinian side and any misconduct by Israel was disregarded. Many media ignored that the rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel was in response to protesters being killed by IDF along the fence during the weekly protests on May 3rd.
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