Headline Roundup • May 20th, 2021
Israel, Hamas Agree to A Ceasefire In Truce Brokered By Egypt
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Israel and Hamas have reportedly agreed to a ceasefire after trading attacks and airstrikes along the Gaza Strip for over a week. The truce is expected to take effect by Friday morning. “The Political Security Cabinet unanimously accepted the recommendation of all security officials, the chief of staff, the head of the Shin Bet [internal security agency], the head of the Mossad [foreign intelligence] and the head of the National Security Council, to accept the Egyptian initiative for a bilateral unconditional ceasefire," the Israeli security cabinet said in a statement, according to a report by the BBC. A Hamas official reportedly told the Associated Press, "“The Palestinian resistance will commit itself to this deal as long as the occupation is committed." President Joe Biden on Thursday hailed the ceasefire, commending Netanyahu for "[bringing] the current hostilities to a close in less than 11 days” and commending the Egyptian government for its key role in the truce. Biden also promised to marshal international resources to rebuild Gaza, saying “we will do this in full partnership with the Palestinian authority — not Hamas, the authority — in a manner that does not permit Hamas to restock its arsenal."
Coverage from across the political spectrum tended to focus on the details of the ceasefire and reactions from various officials and groups.
Featured Coverage of this Story

New York Post (News)
Israel and Hamas announced a cease-fire in Gaza on Thursday, aiming to bring to an end more than 10 days of devastating hostilities.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said his Security Cabinet had unanimously approved a “mutual and unconditional” truce brokered by Egypt. Hamas followed suit and said it would honor the agreement.
Hamas and Egypt said the cease-fire would begin at 2 a.m. Friday, local time, which was 7 p.m. Thursday ET.
A statement from Netanyahu’s office hailed “significant achievements” by Israel’s military in the operation, “some of which are unprecedented.”
...
New York Times (News)
A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas took effect early Friday morning, hours after both sides agreed to end more than 10 days of fighting that had claimed hundreds of lives.
The truce, mediated by Egypt, began at 2 a.m. in Israel — 7 p.m. Thursday in the Eastern United States — as people on either side of the divide watched nervously to see whether it would hold.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Thursday evening that his security cabinet had voted unanimously to accept the Egyptian proposal,...

Associated Press
Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire Thursday, halting a bruising 11-day war that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip, brought life in much of Israel to a standstill and left more than 200 people dead.
At 2 a.m. local time, just as the cease-fire took effect, frenzy life returned to the streets of Gaza. People went out of their homes, some shouting “Allahu Akbar” or whistling from balconies. Many fired in the air, celebrating the truce.
Like the three previous wars between the bitter enemies, the latest round...
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