(VOVworld)- It has been two days since the 72-hour truce between Israel and Hamas mediated by Egypt began. It is more successful than the truce mediated by US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Chief Ban Ki Moon which broke down after just 2 hours. But that doesn’t secure peace in the Gaza strip.
The truce was reached after 29 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas. Israeli artillery killed nearly 1,900 Palestinians, 80% of them were civilians. Under the truce, Israeli ground troops pulled out of Gaza, one of Hamas’s conditions for a long-term ceasefire. The Israeli army announced that they had destroyed most of tunnels crossing the border, which were the main targets of their attacks.
Active response from international community
Israeli and Hamas military officials told reporters they would both respect the truce. This is a rare opportunity for both sides to carry out humanitarian relief and for the UN, the US, Israel, Hamas and Egypt to seek a permanent truce for the region. Before the truce went into effect, Israeli army withdrew troops and tanks from the Gaza strip. A spokesperson for the Israeli army, Colonel Peter Lerner said the withdrawal decision was made after Israel destroyed most of the cross-border tunnels used by Hamas fighters. 32 tunnels and dozens of entries to the tunnels were destroyed.
The international community is hoping the truce will result in a serious dialogue between the parties. The US immediately praised the truce saying it paves the way for other positive developments and urged Tel Aviv and Hamas to abide by the truce. UN Chief Ban Ki Moon asked Israel and Hamas to exercise restraint and called on all parties to accelerate the negotiation of a permanent ceasefire in Cairo. The UN Chief pledged to help the two sides reach an agreement to end their conflict. The EU also applauded the truce calling on all parties to end the killing of civilians.
Fragile peace
One day after the truce began on August 6, Israel agreed to extend the current truce in the Gaza strip beyond August 8 as Israel-Palestine negotiations continue in Cairo. But Hamas rejected any extension and warned it would resume attacks unless Israel accepts its conditions which include ending the blockade of Gaza and releasing Palestinian prisoners. A source with the Al Qassam Brigade of Hamas movement said Hamas will resume attacks once the truce expires at 8 AM on August 8.
Despite the truce, the Israeli government said Israel will redeploy troops in the Gaza strip to counter possible attacks. An Israeli diplomat said Israel is ready for the possibility that Hamas will violate the truce and called on Israelis to stay vigilant.