Headline Roundup May 21, 2021

Perspectives: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Begins

Middle East,World,Foreign Policy,Israel Hamas Violence,Israel,Palestine,Hamas,Terrorism,Progressives,Benjamin Netanyahu,Police

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Hamas stopped firing rockets at Israel and Israel stopped bombing Gaza at 2 a.m. Friday following an unconditional ceasefire deal mediated by Egypt. After Israel’s Security Cabinet voted unanimously to accept the deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement pointing to Israel’s “unprecedented” and “significant achievements” during the conflict. Hamas also claimed the ceasefire as a victory, with Hamas supporters shouting "victory" as Palestinians took to the streets to celebrate. However, fears of continued violence rose after Israeli police once again clashed with Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa mosque on Friday; several Israeli officers reportedly hit journalists with batons during the incident, calling them “liars.”

Voices from right-rated outlets tended to be more critical of Hamas and progressive Democrats in the United States. Voices in left-rated outlets tended to focus on the disproportionate Palestinian civilian casualties and call for long-term solutions.

Featured Coverage of this Story

EXPLAINER: What was the outcome of the latest Gaza war?

Associated Press

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EXPLAINER: What was the outcome of the latest Gaza war?

Associated Press

Analysis

The cease-fire that took effect Friday appears to have halted 11 days of fighting between Israel and Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers, without resolving any of the underlying issues in the decades-old Middle East conflict.

Almost no one on either side expects this war — which was triggered by protests and clashes in Jerusalem — will be the last.

Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes against what it said were militant targets across Gaza, destroying homes and damaging vital infrastructure in the impoverished territory, which has been under a crippling blockade...

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A Cease-Fire, and New Ideas in Israel and the Palestinian Territories

New York Times (Opinion)

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A Cease-Fire, and New Ideas in Israel and the Palestinian Territories

New York Times (Opinion)

Opinion

The cease-fire between Hamas militants in Gaza and Israel didn’t come a second too soon.

Israelis should not have to live in fear of rockets raining down, which killed a dozen people living in Israel since fighting broke out 11 days ago. Nor should people in Gaza live in fear that they might become collateral damage from Israeli bombs. Israeli airstrikes and artillery killed at least 230 Palestinians, including militants and many civilians.

Israel has a right — even a responsibility — to put a stop to the rocket attacks at their...

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After the Israeli Cease-Fire

Wall Street Journal (Opinion)

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Wall Street Journal (Opinion)

Opinion

As we went to press, it looked like Israel and Hamas would put down their arms—for now. The truce comes less than two weeks after the terrorist group commenced its 4,000-rocket barrage on Israeli civilians—the most intense since it took over the Gaza strip in 2007. Israel’s leadership wouldn’t have approved a cease-fire if it hadn’t accomplished most of what it wanted through air strikes, but the question now is what lessons the region’s players take from the short war and the world’s response.

The cease-fire has no strings attached,...

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