A long-term truce in Gaza has been agreed with Israel, Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas said. The ceasefire announced by Egypt came into effect at 16:00 GMT with almost immediate reports of warning sirens going off in southern Israel.
“We have responded to the Egyptian proposal for a complete and comprehensive cease-fire, which starts at 19:00 Cairo time,” Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, stated. “There will be a complete stop in fighting.”
A senior Israeli official confirmed to Reuters that Israel had accepted the Egyptian proposal for a “for a complete and unlimited-in-time ceasefire” Gaza ceasefire.
“Israel accepted already the Egyptian proposal on July 15. Israel has always supported an unconditional, open-ended ceasefire,” the anonymous official told the agency.
Celebratory gunfire rang through Gaza shortly after 7pm as thousands flocked to the streets in celebration.