Calm returned to the Gaza Strip after the entry into force of the comprehensive and mutual ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Islamic Jihad movement, starting at 23:30 pm yesterday, Sunday, after Egyptian and Qatari contacts.
Al-Jazeera correspondent reported that calm prevailed over the Gaza Strip with the implementation of the ceasefire, after the intensification of rocket fire from Gaza yesterday evening.
Al-Jazeera correspondent also said that calm also prevailed over Tel Aviv and its surroundings.
The Secretary-General of Islamic Jihad, Ziad al-Nakhala, said that Israel had submitted to the conditions set by the movement for a ceasefire and through clear Egyptian guarantees, namely the release of the hunger striker Khalil Awawda and Bassam al-Saadi.
Al-Nakhala warned - in a press conference in Tehran - that if Israel did not abide by these conditions, the movement would consider the agreement null and the battle would resume.
In the same context, the Israeli government said that it had completed its assessment of the situation, a review of the results of the military operation, and a future security assessment.
A statement by the Israeli Prime Minister stated that in the event of a violation of the ceasefire, Israel reserves the right to respond forcefully.
The Israeli government announced the opening of the crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip for humanitarian cases, starting at nine o'clock this morning, local time.
Terms of Agreement
Al Jazeera obtained the text of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Islamic Jihad movement, which includes a comprehensive and mutual ceasefire.
The statement stipulated a complete and mutual ceasefire at 23:30 local time in Palestine.
The statement stated that Egypt is making efforts and is committed to working for the release of Palestinian prisoner Khalil Awawda and his transfer for treatment.
The statement adds that Egypt is working to release the leader of the Islamic Jihad Movement, Sheikh Bassam Al-Saadi, as soon as possible.
For his part, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari said that Qatar's role since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza has been through contacts with all parties to stop the aggression.
He added - in an interview with Al Jazeera - that the goal of communicating with the parties was to understand the nature and consequences of tension after the assassination of Jabari, and to stop the bloodshed and the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Al-Ansari added that the Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and officials in the ministry have conducted marathon contacts in recent days with various parties, to get to know the reality of the situation in Gaza and to ensure the exchange of information in order to reach solutions.
American and international welcome
In the United States, US President Joe Biden welcomed the agreement, praising Qatar and Egypt's role in its investigation, saying he supports an investigation into reports of civilian casualties.
Biden called on all parties to fully implement the ceasefire and ensure the flow of fuel and humanitarian supplies into Gaza while the fighting stops.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, and called on all parties to abide by it.
Guterres expressed his grief over the victims as a result of the air strikes on Gaza and the indiscriminate firing of rockets towards Israel, as he put it.
A press release from the Secretary-General's spokesman referred to the closure of the crossings to Gaza, the lack of energy, the destruction of hundreds of buildings and the displacement of thousands of Palestinians.
Guterres stressed that the two-state solution would end the destructive cycles of violence forever.
The UN envoy to the Middle East, Tor Wencesland, also welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and the Islamic Jihad movement, and praised Qatar's strong role, Egypt's decisive role and the American role in the agreement.
Wencesland said the situation remained very fragile, and urged the parties to respect the ceasefire agreement.
He also stressed that the United Nations will continue to work with all concerned parties to calm the situation urgently, stressing the need for the parties to commit to doing everything necessary to end the escalation, stabilize the de-escalation and ensure the safety of civilians.
A step in the right direction
For her part, Francesca Albanese - the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 - said in a tweet on Twitter that the ceasefire is a step in the right direction to stop the bloodshed.
The UN rapporteur urged all parties to respect the agreement, and pointed out the need to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip quickly to ease the burden on the victims.
1/The ceasefire is a step in the right direction to stop the bloodshed.
I urge all parties to respect it.
The situation of all victims must be addressed and humanitarian aid must be speedily allowed into Gaza to alleviate the burden on the victims.
pic.twitter.com/QXVISAnuKb
— Francesca Albanese, UN SRoPt (@FranceskAlbs) August 7, 2022
In a second tweet, Francesca indicated the need for talks to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip without delay, and concluded her tweet by saying that freedom will bring peace.
Albanese had confirmed - in an interview with Al Jazeera - that Israel could not claim to defend itself, while people in Gaza were dying.
She added that she demanded the presence of a preventive force from the United Nations in the occupied Palestinian territories, stressing that the deliberate killing of Palestinians is still continuing and has reached a shameful stage, as she put it.