Israeli government accepts Egyptian-brokered ceasefire deal, starting from 7 p.m. Israel-time (20 minutes ago); Bennett opposes truce. Rockets still falling.
The Israeli government has officially accepted an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire deal to go into effect at 7 p.m. Israel-time (16:00 GMT).
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu informed cabinet ministers of the decision via a telephone call, just minutes before it was to go into effect. Economics Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) voiced his opposition to the truce, saying the government needed to crush Gazan terrorist groups.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas announced news of the ceasefire at a televised speech in Ramallah.
"We announce the Palestinian leadership's agreement to Egypt's call for a comprehensive and lasting truce, beginning at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) today," he said at the start of a meeting of the PA's leadership.
But despite the declarations terrorists in Gaza continued to launch rocket and mortar attacks even after the ceasefire took effect. At approximately 7:05 p.m. Red Alert sirens sounded in the Gaza Belt region, followed by yet more sirens minutes later.
At 7:15 p.m. more rocket sirens were sounded in the Gaza Belt region, further breaching the declared ceasefire.
Ceasefire Begins But Rockets Still Rain Down - Middle East - News - Arutz Sheva
The Israeli government has officially accepted an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire deal to go into effect at 7 p.m. Israel-time (16:00 GMT).
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu informed cabinet ministers of the decision via a telephone call, just minutes before it was to go into effect. Economics Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) voiced his opposition to the truce, saying the government needed to crush Gazan terrorist groups.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas announced news of the ceasefire at a televised speech in Ramallah.
"We announce the Palestinian leadership's agreement to Egypt's call for a comprehensive and lasting truce, beginning at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) today," he said at the start of a meeting of the PA's leadership.
But despite the declarations terrorists in Gaza continued to launch rocket and mortar attacks even after the ceasefire took effect. At approximately 7:05 p.m. Red Alert sirens sounded in the Gaza Belt region, followed by yet more sirens minutes later.
At 7:15 p.m. more rocket sirens were sounded in the Gaza Belt region, further breaching the declared ceasefire.
Ceasefire Begins But Rockets Still Rain Down - Middle East - News - Arutz Sheva