26th July, 2018
Palestinian political factions in the Gaza Strip, including the Islamist group Hamas, said Thursday they are committed to a ceasefire with Israel despite a flare-up in violence overnight.
The ceasefire, declared on Saturday by Hamas, appeared to be on the verge of crumbling after Palestinian gunmen injured an Israeli soldier on Wednesday, starting a wave of tit-for-tat retaliations.
Israeli strikes on Gaza killed three Hamas members after which nine rockets were fired into Israel.
Hamas’ armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, said earlier Thursday that Israel “must pay a high price with its blood” making an apparent reference to the three killed Palestinians.
On July 21, in one of the most intense bouts of fighting since a 2014 war, Israel and Hamas exchanged fire that killed four Palestinians – three of them Hamas militants – and one Israeli soldier.
Israel has not confirmed the ceasefire, which Hamas said was brokered by Egypt.
Tensions have been mounting between Israel and Hamas in recent months, as the Islamist group has orchestrated near-weekly protests along the Gaza border and supported a wave of incendiary balloons and kites launched into Israel.
More than 140 Palestinians have died from Israeli fire in the protests.
Palestinians say the demonstrations are meant to pressure Israel to lift an 11-year blockade on the territory and allow Palestinian refugees to return to lands in present-day Israel.
Israel says the demonstrations are a cover for Hamas attacks aimed at Israeli border communities.
Hamas, considered a terrorist organisation by most of the West, seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.
Israel, along with Egypt, has blockaded the Gaza Strip – home to around 2 million people – since Hamas took control and fought three wars with Israel.