Israel-Gaza Truce Ends Three-Day Conflict
Ceasefire Halts Deadly Violence
195 Killed, 11 Million Gazans Face Food Insecurity
A fragile truce has ended three days of intense fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, bringing a halt to the deadliest violence in the region in years. The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, took effect at 11:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, after a day of heavy airstrikes and rocket fire that left at least 195 Palestinians dead and over 1,200 injured.
The conflict began on Tuesday when Israel launched a military operation targeting the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), an armed group operating in Gaza. Israel said the operation was necessary to prevent further rocket attacks on Israeli territory, after the PIJ fired hundreds of rockets into Israel in the past few weeks.
The PIJ responded by firing more rockets into Israel, leading to a cycle of violence that quickly escalated. The Israeli military carried out hundreds of airstrikes on Gaza, targeting PIJ positions and other infrastructure, while the PIJ and other Palestinian militant groups continued to fire rockets into Israel.
The truce brings a much-needed respite from the violence, but it remains to be seen how long it will hold. The underlying tensions between Israel and the Palestinians remain unresolved, and there is a risk that further violence could erupt in the future.
In addition to the human toll, the conflict has also had a devastating impact on Gaza's infrastructure. Homes, schools, and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, and the territory's already fragile economy has been further damaged.
A UN-backed food security assessment this week said that 11 million people in Gaza were struggling with food insecurity, and the conflict has only exacerbated the situation. The ceasefire provides a window of opportunity to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and to begin the process of rebuilding.
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