A ceasefire negotiated between Israel and Gaza Strip-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad continued to hold after its initiation at 11:30 PM on Sunday.
Brokered by Egypt and Qatar, the deal was praised by U.S. President Joe Biden Sunday for bringing nearly three days of conflict to a halt. Biden said in a statement, “My support for Israel’s security is long-standing and unwavering—including its right to defend itself against attacks,” the statement said. “[T]he United States is proud of our support for Israel’s Iron-Dome, which intercepted hundreds of rockets and saved countless lives.”
Source: Times of Israel (Haim Zach / GPO)
Meanwhile, the US President also expressed his concern about civilian casualties in Gaza from Israeli airstrikes and Islamic Jihad’s rockets falling within Gaza and called for an investigation into such reports. “Israelis and Palestinians both deserve to live safely and securely and to enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and democracy,” he added. “My Administration will remain engaged with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to support that vision and to implement the initiatives launched during my visit to improve the quality of life for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
He also commended Prime Minister Yair Lapid and his government for their “steady leadership throughout the crisis.”
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