Palestinians shout and flash the V-sign for victory as they celebrate the beginning of the truce with Israel in Gaza
Story Summary
An Egyptian-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas Wednesday ended eight days of fierce fighting in Gaza, largely halting attacks that have killed 162 Palestinians and five Israelis and promising to discuss the easing of an Israeli blockade of the territory.
Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said the deal included an agreement to open all border crossings with the Gaza Strip, including the important Rafah crossing with Egypt.
For Israel, it brings a halt to rocket fire and attempts at cross-border incursions from Gaza.
Israel imposed its blockade of Gaza in 2006 after Hamas won Palestinian elections and it continues to restrict the
The deal was also unclear about a key Israeli demand for an end to arms smuggling into Gaza in tunnels underneath the border with Egypt.
It appeared aimed at sparking Israeli fears of a return to the violence of the Palestinian uprising last decade, which killed more than 1,000 Israelis in bombings and shooting attacks and left more than 5,000 Palestinians dead
Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Nov-22/195895-cease-fire-at-last-truce-terms-vague.ashx#ixzz2CvkOUCMb
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Israel, Palestine
useless war and useless ceasefire, as nothing has really changed. Gaza will still not have free access, no port, no airport, no border crossing under its own control. A prison camp. For real peace there has to be real change and real freedom.