07 Aug 2022 | 11:45 PM UTC
Israel, Gaza Strip: Israeli authorities and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants reach ceasefire agreement as of late Aug. 7 /update 4
Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad reach ceasefire as of late Aug. 7 following three-day conflict; further cross-border violence possible.
Event
Israeli authorities and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militants agreed to an Egypt-brokered ceasefire effective from 23:30 Aug. 7. The agreement, should it hold, will end three days of cross-border fighting that killed at least 43 Palestinians and wounded hundreds of others; at least three Israelis were also wounded as a result of the cross-border violence. Prime Minister Yair Lapid's office has warned that Israel would respond strongly if the terms of the agreement were violated.
Any additional rocket attacks from the Palestinian enclave would likely prompt further precautionary measures, such as evacuations, in targeted areas of Israel as well as retaliatory strikes by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Localized transport and business disruptions are likely in the event of any further significant cross-border violence.
Context
Tensions between Israel and Gaza-based militants remain heightened despite the tenuous ceasefire. PIJ militants reportedly continued to launch rocket attacks toward Israeli communities minutes after the ceasefire entered into force. While the terms of the ceasefire agreement were not immediately released, any further significant cross-border fire over the coming days would likely lead to the abandonment of the ceasefire and another bout of cross-border fighting.
The series of Israeli-imposed precautionary measures, including the closure of schools and restrictions on public gatherings near the Israeli-Gazan border, is scheduled to remain in place until at least 18:00 Aug. 8. Additionally, despite the ceasefire agreement, the IDF will likely keep the Iron Dome batteries deployed to Jerusalem, Be'er Sheva, and several other areas in place over the short term to ensure the safety of Israelis in the event that cross-border fighting resumes.
The IDF launched Operation Breaking Dawn by targeting a number of PIJ military bases in the Gaza Strip Aug. 5 to preempt the militant group from following through on its threats to attack Israeli communities and cities. The IDF's airstrikes killed over a dozen PIJ militants, including Tayseer Jabari, a prominent PIJ leader who served as the commander of the Al-Quds Brigades. The trigger for the recent tensions was the IDF's arrest of Bassem al-Saadi, one of the PIJ's senior leaders, in the West Bank's city of Jenin Aug. 1.
Advice
Monitor local media and strictly heed the instructions of security forces. If possible, avoid areas within 5 km (3 miles) of the Gaza buffer zone until tensions subside. If incoming mortar rounds or rockets are reported in southern Israel, or a warning siren sounds in the general vicinity, report to the nearest bomb shelter until given further instructions by authorities. If there is no shelter nearby, stay indoors, away from windows and exterior walls, and, if possible, move to a ground floor or basement.
If operating in the Gaza Strip, avoid known PIJ and Hamas security force locations, which are common targets for Israeli airstrikes, as well as recently targeted sites. Establish a thorough communication plan to ensure rapid accountability for all personnel operating in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip.
