Middle East

Gaza truce begins

Article published on the 2008-06-19 Latest update 2008-06-19 14:55 TU

An Israeli soldier directs a tank outside Gaza
(Credit: Reuters)

A fragile truce between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement came into force in the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning, the first formal ceasefire since the Islamic party took over the area a little over a year ago. The agreement was brokered by Egypt in an effort to bring some sort of calm to the region crippled by an Israeli blockade.

The text calls on Hamas to halt rocket fire, while Israel is to refrain from air and land strikes in the territory and ease up on the blockade, which includes preventing fuel being brought in, that has crippled Gaza.

"Hamas is determined to respect the truce and guarantee its success," said spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. He confirmed the truce came into effect at six am (0300 GMT) today.

Israel had no immediate comment Wednesday, but Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned that the truce would be "fragile" and could be "short-lived."

"If terror continues, Israel will have to work to remove the threat," said Olmert. He called Hamas "despicable, bloodthirsty terrorists who have not changed". 

Israeli officials said an increase of goods allowed into Gaza should start next week, as long as the truce holds.

Israel has stressed that the opening of the Rafah crossing at the border of Egypt in southern Gaza would be contigent on the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli solder captured two years ago.

"If Gilad Shalit is not released, the Rafah crossing will not reopen," senior Defence Ministry official Amos Gilad told Ynet website.

On Wednesday, before the truce started, both sides exchanged fire.  Minutes before the truce began Thursday, Israeli troops killed one Palestinian.

Egypt announced the truce Tuesday after brokering months of indirect talks with Israel and Hamas. Israel does not recognize Hamas representatives, even when they have been elected.

World leaders weighed in on the issue, expressing hope for some sort of breakthrough. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hoped that the humanitiarian crisis would ease up, and that security could be sustained.

The White House was more cautious, welcoming the move between the two parties, but adding the hope that Hamas would "give up terrorism."

 Political scientist Abu A-Laah of the University of Gaza told RFI he was optimistic about the truce in the short-term but not in the long-term. He said he believed it would hold for weeks or possibly months.