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Reuters
Reuters
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel and Hamas will cease fire across the Gaza Strip border as of 2 a.m. on Friday (2300 GMT on Thursday), the Palestinian Islamist faction and Egyptian state TV said, bringing a potentially tenuous halt to the fiercest fighting in decades. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said his security cabinet had voted unanimously in favour of a “mutual and unconditional” Gaza truce proposed by Egypt, but added that the hour of implementation had yet to be agreed. Within minutes of the announcements, in the countdown to t…
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida) issued this statement:
“I welcome the news of a mutually-agreed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and the relief it will bring from the pain and suffering that Israeli and Palestinian civilians endured the past 10 days that was caused by the bombardment of Hamas rockets into Israel. The leadership and loyalty of President Biden, who stood by our democratic ally, Israel, is deeply appreciated. Biden’s constructive diplomacy and continued commitment to the Iron Dome not only helped reach this resolution, but it ensures Israel’s right to defend itself against terror attacks.
As we pray Hamas and other groups honor this ceasefire, let’s ensure steps are taken to prevent another violent conflict, be it a month, a year, or a decade from now. I will continue to advocate for a negotiated and viable two-state solution, and urge Israeli and Palestinian Authority leadership to take steps to make that more likely. That is the path to a lasting peace.”
Americans for Peace Now issued the following statement:
Washington, DC – Americans for Peace Now welcomes the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas and thanks the third parties who helped broker it. APN urges both sides to adhere to the ceasefire and – in the coming days and weeks – to do their utmost to stabilize the situation.
APN’s President and CEO Hadar Susskind said: “As Palestinians and Israelis mourn their dead, heal their wounds, and start to rebuild, we will redouble our efforts to make clear that repeated rounds of violence and counter-violence are not a solution. When the smoke clears, we are left with the same problems that we had before so many lives were lost. The occupation must end. Hamas must renounce violence. Israel needs a functioning government. The Palestinians need to have elections. Hundreds of people were killed and many more were injured or made homeless, and yet none of these facts have changed.
“And we in the United States will tell our leaders that turning away from the Israel-Palestine conflict will not make it go away. The US is the only party that can effectively push both Israelis and Palestinians to settle their conflict. The time to pave the way toward peace is now. It’s always now.”