Hamas says long-term ceasefire with Israel agreed

Egypt has brokered a new long-term ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian groups, senior Palestinian officials have said.

“An agreement has been reached between the two sides and we are awaiting the announcement from Cairo to determine the zero hour for implementation,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.

The Palestinians said that Israel has agreed to ease its blockade of Gaza to allow aid supplies and construction materials into the war-torn region. Discussions on proposals such as Hamas’ desire to establish an airport and a seaport in Gaza and Israel’s wish to demilitarize Hamas are expected to proceed in a month.

Israel has not yet commented on these latest updates.

This breakthrough came as Israel and Palestinians continued to trade fire. On Tuesday, Israeli jets flattened the 15-storey Basha Tower containing flats and offices and severely damaged the Italian Complex, with several homes, shops and offices.

Israel’s military had warned residents that they were going to attack those two buildings, giving them time to evacuate. No one was reported killed but Gaza health officials said that 25 people were wounded in Israel’s attack on the Italian Complex and two others were killed in Israeli strikes elsewhere in the region.

In Israel, 20 people were lightly injured when a rocket fired from Gaza hit a residential area of the southern town of Ashkelon, Israeli police said. Another rocket was intercepted in the northern Tel Aviv area.

The seven-week conflict has killed at least 2,133 Palestinians, including 577 children, according to Palestinian health officials. The UN said that Israel’s offensive has destroyed 17,000 homes in Gaza and has left around 100,000 Palestinians homeless.

64 Israeli soldiers and four Israeli citizens have also been killed.  hamas