Cease-fire

According to diplomatic officials, Netanyahu was in continuous contact with the IDF chief of staff during his flight from Washington, and the directive he gave was to continue attacks inside Gaza.

Israel Katz's statement comes hours after Hamas announced Egypt had brokered a ceasefire with Israel, Al Jazeera reported.

Jerusalem Post staff interviewed Israelis asking whether the IDF should have gone into Gaza. To no one's surprise, they had some opinions.

A strange thing happened almost immediately after sources briefed reporters that the cabinet unanimously decided to accept a ceasefire with Hamas: ministers began denying it.

Meanwhile, peace groups around country call for a non-violent solution.

In parallel, Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh issued a statement signaling that the organization was interested in tamping down the escalation.

Risheq’s statement was the first sign since Sunday night’s clash between an elite IDF unit and Hamas near Khan Yunis that the movement was interested in ending the current cycle of violence.

According to this report, Abbas's position caused Egypt to place the internal Palestinian reconciliation at the top of its list of priorities and to reject the "calm first" approach.