Late on Sunday, it was announced that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza took effect, amid praise for the efforts of Egypt and Qatar to stop the escalation.

While he renewed his uncle to Israel, US President Joe Biden said he supports an investigation into the killing of civilians in the Strip.

At 23:30 Palestine time, the armistice took effect 3 days after the Israeli raids on Gaza and the fall of Islamic Jihad rockets in various Israeli cities.

There were rallies in Gaza City and Jabalia camp to celebrate the entry into force of the ceasefire, and participants carried Palestinian flags and banners of the Islamic Jihad movement and pictures of the leaders of its military wing - Al-Quds Brigades - who were martyred in the Israeli raids.

In the first international reactions, the UN envoy to the Middle East, Tor Wencesland, welcomed the ceasefire and praised Qatar's strong role, Egypt's decisive role, and the American role.

Wencesland said the situation was still very fragile, and called on all parties to respect the ceasefire.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, also welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and called on the parties to respect the truce.


comprehensive investigation

For his part, US President Joe Biden welcomed the ceasefire announced in the Gaza Strip, and said he supports an investigation into reports of civilian casualties.

Biden added in a statement that his administration supports a thorough and timely investigation into all of these reports.

He called on all parties to fully implement the ceasefire and ensure the flow of fuel and humanitarian supplies into Gaza with the cessation of hostilities.

"I thank the Egyptian president and the Emir of Qatar for helping to end the hostilities in the Gaza Strip," Biden said.

He explained that his administration worked during the past hours with officials from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Qatar and Jordan for a quick solution.

At the same time, Biden renewed his support for Israel in the face of the Islamic Jihad movement, which he described as terrorist.

A cease-fire was reached in Gaza after simultaneous contacts made by Egypt and Qatar with the concerned parties.

Al Jazeera obtained the text of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Islamic Jihad movement, which includes 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.


Egyptian pledge

The agreement also stipulates that Egypt will work to release the prisoner Bassam Al-Saadi as soon as possible.

Egypt has said that it will work to ensure the implementation of the terms of the agreement, and a statement carried by the Egyptian News Agency, quoting an unnamed official source, stated that Egypt calls for a comprehensive and mutual ceasefire as of 23:30 pm Palestine 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 his part, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari told Al-Jazeera that his country's role was pivotal to ensure the reduction of tension in order to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

Hours before the agreement took effect, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said that the death toll from the Israeli escalation on the Strip rose to 43, including 15 children and 4 women, in addition to 311 wounded.

On the other hand, Israeli sources reported that dozens of Israelis - including soldiers - were injured, most of which were minor, and damages were recorded in factories and homes as a result of the Palestinian resistance's rockets falling on Israeli settlements in the Gaza envelope in particular.