And the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is officially in force

The ceasefire between the Israeli armed forces and the military arm of Hamas, the Islamist faction that rules the Gaza Strip, was officially implemented at 02:00 (local time and Greek time).

Gunshots were heard in the Gaza Strip as a sign of joy, French Agency journalists reported. No air defense sirens sounded in Israel for at least the first minutes after the agreement was implemented, which theoretically puts an end to 10 days of bloody hostilities.

Numerous Palestinians took to the streets, shouting messages saluting the “victory of the resistance over the occupation (Israel) during the battle of the Sword of Jerusalem.”

Both sides have said they will retaliate if the other side violates the agreement. Egypt, which mediated to close the deal, said it would set up two delegations to monitor its implementation.

Gaza health authorities say after hostilities broke out on May 10 for 232 dead Palestinians, among them 65 children and 39 women, as well as more than 1,900 wounded. Chahal, the Israeli army, estimates that he killed at least 160 Palestinian fighters in the enclave.

In Israel The death toll is 12 and hundreds are being treated for injuries sustained after rocket attacks which caused panic, forcing people to run to the shelters.

Biden: A real opportunity to make progress towards peace

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which entered into force overnight, offers a “real opportunity” to make progress towards peace.

“I am convinced that Palestinians and Israelis deserve, both men and women, to live in security and enjoy a new level of freedom, prosperity and democracy,” Biden said during a short White House sermon. .

“My government will continue its discreet but decisive diplomatic efforts to achieve this goal,” he said.

«I am convinced that we have a real opportunity to move forward and I pledge to work on this“, He added.

The White House spokesman praised the role of Egypt, a regional power that has ties to both Israel and Hamas, the ruling Islamist group in the Gaza Strip.

“I would like to express my gratitude to President (Egypt’s Abdel Fattah) al-Sisi and senior Egyptian officials who played a crucial role in agreeing on a ceasefire,” he said.

Mr Biden promised in his speech that the United States would provide humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip. He also assured that Washington will help Israel to supply ammunition to the Iron Dome missile system, which has intercepted much of the Palestinian rockets.

US Secretary of State to travel to region “in the coming days”

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will travel to the Middle East “in the coming days”, the State Department said hours after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip came into force after days of bloody hostilities.

According to a press release issued by his services, Mr. Blinken plans to meet on his tour with his “Israeli, Palestinian” counterpart as well as with officials from other “countries in the region”, to “work together to build a better future for Israelis and Palestinians.”

Mr Blinken briefed his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, during a telephone conversation, the US State Department said in a statement.

Britain calls on the parties to make the ceasefire “permanent”

The United Kingdom on Thursday welcomed the Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip approved by Israel and Hamas, calling on the parties to make it “permanent”.

“All parties must work to ensure a lasting ceasefire,” he said.end the unacceptable cycle of violence and loss of civilian livesBritish Foreign Secretary Dominique Raab said on Twitter, adding that London supported “efforts to achieve peace”.