Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after 11 days of fierce conflict - Israel warns of aggressive retaliation if attacked again/ Hamas threatens of pulling the triggers of the rocket launchers

Jerusalem/Gaza: – After a violent conflict lasting 11 days and claiming nearly 25 lives, a ceasefire was announced between Israel and the terrorist organisations in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire is being welcomed on the international level. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel has achieved important objectives in the conflict and has delivered unforgettable jolts to Hamas. But the Israeli Prime Minister also warned that if fresh rockets attacks start from Gaza, there will be a fiercer retaliation. A Hamas leader warned, ‘Even if the conflict has ended, we will pull the triggers of rocket launchers.’

There were fruitful talks between Israel and Hamas leaders regarding the ceasefire, with mediation from Egypt, on Thursday night. Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu convened a meeting of the Security Committee at 7 pm and announced a ceasefire after that. As per Israeli standard time, the ceasefire was announced at 2 am. Before that, rocket attacks were launched on Israel from Gaza. In the last 11 days, Hamas and Islamic Jihad launched more than 4,000 rocket attacks on Israel. Israel, in retaliation, attacked hundreds of terrorist locations in Gaza. 232 people died in Gaza, and 12 people died in Israel during the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu revealed the details regarding the ceasefire and the 11-day long conflict while talking to the media on Friday. Prime Minister Netanyahu clarified, ‘We were fighting to keep the security of every mother, her children and the soldiers from the military, in mind. We adopted some adventurous and new techniques for the actions in Gaza instead of getting entangled in an unnecessary encounter. The influence and effect of these Israeli actions will not become public soon. Hamas also will not realise them, but we have succeeded in achieving the goals set for the conflict.’

The Israeli Prime Minister announced that more than 100 kilometres long underground tunnel network in Gaza has been destroyed. Hamas had invested heavily in this underground network. Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that these very tunnels became death traps for the Hamas terrorists. Netanyahu emphasised that nine terrorist towers were destroyed along with other locations. Prime Minister Netanyahu warned, ‘More than 200 Hamas terrorists have been killed in these actions, including 25 senior commanders. We will reach all the Hamas terrorists and commanders who have escaped the attacks this time. They cannot be safe even underground.’ The Israeli Prime Minister also warned, ‘Hamas should not be under a wrong impression that Israel will be scared of the rocket shower. If Hamas launches any new attacks on Israel, the retaliation will be so fierce that they will lose whatever they have.’

Meanwhile, as soon as Israel announced the ceasefire, terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad and their supporters started rejoicing in the streets of Gaza, claiming that this was a victory for them. At this time, Ezzat El-Reshiq, a senior Hamas leader, threatened Israel. Ezzat threatened, ‘Jerusalem is a red line for us. Although the conflict has ended, for now, our fingers are still on the rocket launchers. Hamas will increase its strength to fight Israel.’