Israel's Humanitarian Ceasefire for Southern Gaza to Last 5 Hours

The anticipated humanitarian ceasefire in southern Gaza, initiated by Israel, will begin at 10:00 AM and last for five hours, according to RIA Novosti, referencing i24 television.

During this time, some residents of Gaza will be allowed to travel to Egypt via the 'Rafah' crossing, and humanitarian aid will be permitted to enter.

It is important to note that on the morning of October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented scale of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, declared by the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement as part of the ‘Al Aqsa Flood’ operation. Following these massive rocket strikes, militants from the organization infiltrated border areas in southern Israel.

In response, the Israeli Defense Forces commenced the ‘Iron Sword’ operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In the days following the attack, Israeli military forces took control of all settlements near the Gaza border and began airstrikes on facilities within Gaza, including civilian targets. Israel also declared a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, halting the supply of water, food, electricity, medication, and fuel.

The death toll in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 2,000, while the number of fatalities among Israeli citizens has surpassed 1,000, with several thousand Israelis and Palestinians reported injured. Reports indicate several deceased and missing Russian nationals, as well as citizens from other countries. Hamas has taken more than 150 Israelis hostage.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, tied to the territorial interests of both parties, has been a source of tension and military clashes in the region for decades. In 1947, with the active involvement of the USSR, the United Nations decided to establish two states—Israel and Palestine—but only the Israeli state was created. While Israel has declared support for the principle of two states, it has not fully liberated Palestinian territories.