Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire deal Nov. 13 /update 2

Event

Palestinian militant groups operating in the Gaza Strip, notably including Hamas, and Israel agreed to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire on the evening (local time) of Tuesday, November 13. The ceasefire deal comes after the most intense cross-border exchange between Palestinian militants in Gaza and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) since the 2014 Gaza war; Palestinian militants fired over 460 rockets into Israel since the night of Monday, November 12, killing one person and wounding at least 28 others. Israeli forces, for their part, launched some 160 airstrikes on militant targets in Gaza, killing seven Palestinians, including multiple militants, and wounding 26 others.

Despite the ceasefire agreement, further airstrikes and rocket attacks, along with disruptions to schools, businesses, and transportation, are possible over the coming days.

Context

The violence follows an IDF special forces raid and airstrikes that killed seven Palestinians, including one Hamas commander, and left an IDF lieutenant colonel dead on November 11. The clashes broke out despite ongoing attempts to forge a truce between Hamas and Israel.

Meanwhile, Palestinian protesters have rallied weekly at the Israeli-Gazan border since late March in a movement called the "Great March of Return." Over 220 Palestinians have been killed during protests since March.

Advice

Individuals in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments to the situation, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, and be prepared to seek shelter in the event of a rocket attack or airstrike. Some Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the West Bank, Gaza, and border areas of Israel.