Islamic Jihad announces new Gaza cease-fire agreement

Ceasefire apparently brokered by Egypt, UN; announcement follows previous call by terror group that it plans to extend rocket range.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza City 311 (R) (photo credit: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa)
Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza City 311 (R)
(photo credit: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa)
Islamic Jihad announced a new cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip early Friday morning, according to sources in Gaza quoted by Israel radio. The agreement was reportedly brokered by Egypt and the UN.
The report added that the cease-fire was already in effect.
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The cease-fire announcement, made by Nafaz Azam, was unexpected as on Thursday Islamic Jihad had vowed to extend the range of their rocket capabilities, sending projectiles deeper into Israeli territory. The terror group had said that it would triple the number of Israelis affected by rocket attacks.
This announcement came as the South braced for a weekend of violence as rocket fire intensified on Thursday and the IDF struck back, killing two terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
At least 15 rockets and mortar shells pounded southern Israel, hitting open areas near Ashkelon and in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. A mortar shell struck the Erez crossing, which is frequently used by Palestinians to enter Israel for medical treatments, causing extensive damage.