Hamas Israel Truce
A truce between Israel and Hamas began on Thursday, June 19, 2008. The agreement came after months of negotiations, which where primarily mediated by Egypt.
The first stage of the truce has called for a "mutual and simultaneous calm" in the Gaza Strip.1
Fast Facts
- Began at 6 a.m., local time, on June 19, 2008
- Announced on June 17, 2008
- Agreement between Israel and Hamas
- Mediated by Egypt
- Began with a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip
- Hamas took control of Gaza in June 2007
- Drove out Fatah following election
- Israel has enforced a blockade on the Gaza Strip since Hamas took power
- Next stage of peace deal concerns the return of Gilad Shalit and opening of access to Egypt
The First Test
A "mutual and simultaneous calm," and the viability of the truce, was threatened on June 24, 2008, when rockets were fired by Islamic Jihad fighters from Gaza into Israel. The attack was a response to the death of an Islamic Jihad fighter in The West Bank earlier that day.2
A Two Part Plan
The initial stage of the peace plan is intended to end violence in the Gaza Strip and surrounding parts of Israel. In this vein, the plan begins with a ceasefire agreement to be implemented on June 19, 2008.3
The first stage of the plan also includes a partial, limited opening of the Gaza Strip's borders.3
If this first stage is successful a second stage, likely focusing on the return of Gilad Shalit and reopening of the Rafah crossing into Egypt, will be considered.3
Quotes
"What is important is not only words but deeds. If there is a total absence of terror attacks from Gaza into Israel, and if there is an end to arms build-up in Gaza Strip and movement on the hostage Gilad Shalit, that will indeed be a new reality."1—Mark Regev, The Guardian
"Hamas will adhere to the timetable which was set by Egypt but it is our right to respond to any Israeli aggression before its implementation."4—Fawzi Barhoum, Al Jazeera
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