After eight days of conflict, a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas took hold late on Wednesday evening, although distrust and singular attacks continued after the truce took effect at 9pm.
The deal has momentarily suspended the Israeli threat of a ground invasion of Gaza after bombing and rocket fire left 162 Gazans, including 37 children, and 5 Israelis dead.
Talking to a news conference in Cairo, exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said:
"If Israel complies, we are compliant. If it does not comply, our hands are on the trigger,"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had agreed to "exhaust this opportunity for an extended truce", which had been brokered by Egypt and backed by the USA, but also told his people that future approaches may be tougher.
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