Guns silent as Gaza truce comes into effect

Guns went quiet as a six-month truce between Israel and Gaza Strip militants took effect early today, marred only by widespread scepticism about its ability to hold.

The ceasefire, which Egypt laboured for months to conclude, also obliges Israel to ease a punishing blockade of Gaza that has driven ordinary Palestinians even deeper into destitution.

A day of intense Palestinian rocket and mortar fire and Israeli air reprisals yesterday underscored just how fragile the Egyptian-brokered agreement would be.

Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has ruled Gaza for the past year, reported that the Israeli navy fired four shells into the waters off Gaza City minutes after the truce began.

The shells fell about 500 yards from shore and there were no apparent targets in the area, witnesses reported, suggesting the shells might have been fired as part of a military drill.

Nearly two hours into the truce, there were no other reports of fire.

Although each side has expressed scepticism over the other’s commitment to the accord, the hope is that it will avert an Israeli military invasion of the tiny seaside territory.

Tal Mahatzili of the southern Israeli farming community of Nir Oz said she was afraid the tranquillity today was “the quiet before the storm”.

“If I could believe our neighbours had stopped their hostile activities, washed their hands at 6.05 and went to the local library to draft a peace proposal, then I would say, ’Wow’, and heave a sigh of relief,” she told Israel Radio. “To my great regret, I’m afraid the malevolent activities across the border won’t stop.”

In an email, Hamas’ military wing declared itself “completely and comprehensively” committed to the truce.

But it warned that the cease-fire was not a “free gift to the occupiers” and that Hamas gunmen were ready to “launch a military strike that will shake the Zionist entity state” if Israel did not abide by all its cease-fire commitments.