Palestinian group announces Gaza ceasefire with Israel

By Hedaya al-Saeedi

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – The Gaza-based Islamic Jihad movement on Saturday announced an Egypt-brokered ceasefire with Israel, according to its spokesman.

“We announce a ceasefire with Israel after Egyptian contacts with us,” Dawoud Shihab told Anadolu Agency.

He said his movement “will be committed to the deal as long as Israel is committed to”.

Late Friday, Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, citing rocket fire from the blockaded Palestinian territory.

Saturday’s deal came after at least six Palestinians were killed and dozens injured by Israeli army fire during anti-occupation protests along Gaza border.

More than 200 Palestinians have been killed and thousands more injured by Israeli troops deployed near Gaza’s buffer zone since such rallies began on March 30.