Palestinian group Hamas has agreed to a new cease-fire with Israel. The announcement comes after a cease-fire brokered Wednesday was violated by both sides, resulting in the deaths of many Palestinians, including a little boy, and the wounding of one Israeli worker.
The previous cease-fire had been almost immediately compromised by the Israelis and the Palestinians, both of which claimed they were using retaliatory measures. Hamas acknowledged firing eight rockets into Israel late Wednesday night, and Israeli warplanes struck ‘militant training sites’ several times on Friday.
The new cease-fire took effect midnight on Saturday. If it holds up, it will have brought an end to the worst bloodshed the area has seen in months.
Shortly after the second cease-fire, five rockets were fired towards the Israeli city of Ashkelon and three towards the Western Negev, but Hamas did not claim responsibility.
