Egypt and US broker Gaza ceasefire

Bombardment to stop at 1900 GMT on 21 November, says Egyptian foreign minister.

By Martha Gill Published 21 November 2012
The ceasefire was announced at a press conference today.
The ceasefire was announced at a press conference today.

Israel has agreed to a ceasefire after several days of shelling the Gaza Strip, the Egyptian foreign minister has announced.

At a joint press conference, Mohammed Kamel Amr and the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the cessation of hostilities would start at 7pm GMT (9pm local time).

Clinton added: 

"This is a critical moment for the region, Egypt's new government is assuming the responsibility and leadership that has long made this country a cornerstone of regional stability and peace.

The US welcomes the agreement today for a ceasefire in Gaza - for it to hold the rocket attacks must end and a broader calm must return.

In the days ahead the US will work with partners across the region to consolidate this progress, improve conditions for the people of Gaza, provide security for the people of Israel."

In Jerusalem, Binyamin Netanyahu confirmed that he had agreed to the deal. Since last Friday, more than 140 Palestinians and five Israelis have been killed. 

Editor's note: Read the New Statesman leader on the latest violence here.

Tags: Gaza  Israel    

 
 

2 comments

Julia Harris's picture

Sun, 2012-11-25 14:48 — Julia Harris

THE WAR WORKED....no more rockets, Hamas heavily weakened.

"An estimated 800 died under Assad during the same eight days of what Israel called Operation Pillar of Defence. But, for some reason, the loss of those lives failed to touch the activists who so rapidly organised the demos and student sit-ins against Israel. "

Hikaru22's picture

Wed, 2012-11-21 20:45 — Hikaru22

I saw Hil(l)ary Clinton making her announcement on the six o-clock news. She looks as though she's just been released from five years spent as a hostage, chained to a radiator in some darkened basement by Islamic militants. Or perhaps she's auditioning for the stage production of 'Misery'.

I hate to be superficial, but couldn't she at least have her hair done, and wear something other than a secondhand eco-friendly potato sack...?

I mean, it's not as if the Clintons are short of a bob or two, is it?

Latest tweets