Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Ceasefire reportedly reached November 14 /update 7

Event

A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) brokered by Egypt reportedly came into effect at 05:30 (local time) on Thursday, November 14. According to media reports, the truce was signed after Israel agreed to end airstrikes and targeted killings while PIJ said it will stop firing rockets and ensure peaceful protests along the Gaza border. While Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed the ceasefire, cross-border rocket attacks largely stopped on Thursday morning. Tensions remain high and violence may escalate on short notice over the coming hours and days. 

According to health officials in Gaza, at least 32 Palestinians have been killed and another 111 wounded since cross-border violence escalated on Tuesday, November 12. During the early morning hours of Thursday, six people were reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike on a home in Deir al-Balah. Over 400 rockets were fired into Israel while dozens of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) airstrikes hit PIJ bases and rocket launch areas. 

As of 07:20 on Thursday, the IDF has lifted restrictions on schools, gatherings, and business throughout Israel except along the Gaza border area. However, further rocket and cross-border attacks by PIJ and other militant organizations may occur in the near term, along with retaliatory IDF operations.

Context

Cross-border strikes significantly escalated on November 12 after the IDF targeted PIJ Al-Quds Brigade commander Bahaa Abu Al-Ata in a precision strike at his residence in the Shejaiyah area of Gaza. According to the IDF, Al-Ata was imminently planning to launch an attack against Israeli citizens and soldiers. Al-Ata has been accused of organizing hundreds of attacks in Israel and developing the rocket capabilities of the PIJ in the Gaza Strip.

Advice

Individuals in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments. Seek immediate shelter in the event of a rocket attack.

Some Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders.