The ceasefire between Israel and the Islamic Jihad movement entered into force in Gaza at 23:30 Palestine time following Egyptian mediation, 3 days after the start of the Israeli military operation on the Strip.
Al Jazeera had obtained the text of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Islamic Jihad movement, which provides for a comprehensive and mutual ceasefire at a time when Egypt will exert its efforts and is committed to working to release the prisoner Khalil Awawda and transfer him for treatment.
The agreement also stipulates that Egypt will work to release the prisoner Bassam Al-Saadi as soon as possible.
A statement carried by the Egyptian News Agency, quoting an unnamed official source, stated that Egypt calls for a comprehensive and mutual ceasefire, starting at 23:30 pm Palestine time (10:30 pm Cairo time).
The statement indicated that Cairo has intensified its contacts with all parties to contain the current escalation, within the framework of its keenness to end the current state of tension in the Gaza Strip.
For its part, the Islamic Jihad announced the start of a ceasefire starting at 23:30, stressing its welcome to the Egyptian efforts.
The Israeli Prime Minister also confirmed that the ceasefire will enter into force tonight at 23:30 local time, but said that it reserves the right to respond forcefully in the event of a violation of the ceasefire.
There were conflicting reports - earlier - regarding the ceasefire. Israeli Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that there is no ceasefire in Gaza so far, at a time when Israeli Channel 12 quoted a senior official as saying that the ceasefire would not enter into force before mid-April. Tonight and maybe even tomorrow morning.
The Israeli channel added, quoting the Israeli official, that Israel sent a letter to the mediators refusing to meet any additional conditions.
Media sources had confirmed to Al-Jazeera that the Islamic Jihad movement demands guarantees from the Egyptian mediator regarding the prisoners and an end to the Israeli escalation, noting that there are vigorous Egyptian contacts to contain the situation, stop the escalation and prevent the collapse of understandings.
These sources also confirmed to Al Jazeera that the truce agreement faltered due to the demands of Islamic Jihad to provide Egyptian guarantees before it was announced.
Yesterday, Saturday, Reuters quoted two Egyptian security sources as saying that a delegation from the Egyptian intelligence arrived in Israel, to go later to Gaza for calm, in light of the Israeli attack on the Strip, which has entered its third day.
The source said that the Egyptian intelligence delegation is led by Major General Ahmed Abdel-Khaleq, and that he hopes to reach a ceasefire for a day in order to hold talks, while sources in Cairo confirmed that a delegation from the Islamic Jihad Movement will visit Egypt for talks.