Egypt and the PA (Palestinian Authority) announced an open-ended ceasefire to begin on Tuesday evening 1 Rosh Chodesh Elul at 19:00. That was a short time ago but the rocket attacks from Gaza are continuing at this time.

The announcement however did not come before the last heavy wave of rocket fire, which continued until the ceasefire began in the Hamas tradition. One person was killed R”L in the Eshkol Regional Council and two others are reported in serious condition.

There was no cabinet vote on the ceasefire, not even the Security Cabinet, but it was a decision which appears to have been reached by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon. Ministers have yet to comment publically as it appears most of them became aware of the ceasefire via the media.

The basis for the ceasefire is the Egyptian draft that was reached a month ago. Hamas in Gaza appears to have decided to take control from Khalid Meshal in Qatar, agreeing to the ceasefire despite Meshal’s adamant refusal to accept the Egyptian initiative without Qatar playing a major role.

In the Eshkol Regional Council community where one person was killed and other left seriously wounded, there is no jubilation over the ceasefire but rather a feeling of defeat which escorts the pain and mourning felt by residents. Even the evacuation of the wounded was carried out under mortar fire as Hamas continues firing at will. During the 50 days of Operation Protective Edge, Hamas fired no less than 4,450 rockets according to the IDF Spokesman, of which 3,555 landed in Israel. Despite the loss of life the B’chasdei Hashem only 221 landed in residential areas as the Iron Dome intercepted 714 rockets heading for major population centers. The report adds the air force struck 5,226 terror targets in Gaza.

YWN-ISRAEL will publish a more expanded report on the ceasefire details as they are released. For Hamas in Gaza, no time was wasted as Gaza announced victory, having brought Israel to its knees and compelling Jerusalem to accept a ceasefire.

NOTE: IT is now 19:10 and rocket fire from Gaza continues.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)