A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip appeared to be holding hours after coming into effect on Friday, ending 11 days of conflict that killed more than 250 people, mostly in Gaza. The truce was tested by fresh clashes at the al-Aqsa mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, where Israeli police said Palestinians threw rocks and petrol bombs, prompting riot suppression measures.
Despite the unrest, the ceasefire held on Friday night. Israel temporarily opened a crossing into Gaza to allow food, fuel and medicine into the territory, and lifted emergency restrictions within its own borders. The fighting began on 10 May after weeks of rising tensions in East Jerusalem, culminating in clashes at al-Aqsa, a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews. Hamas began firing rockets after warning Israel to withdraw from the site, triggering retaliatory air strikes.
At least 243 people, including more than 100 women and children, were killed in Gaza, according to its health ministry. Israel said it killed at least 225 militants; Hamas has not given fighter casualty figures. In Israel, 12 people, including two children, were killed. The Israeli military reported more than 4,300 rockets fired towards its territory and over 1,000 militant targets struck in Gaza.
Gaza's streets saw a return to relative normalcy, with families stepping over rubble and children navigating smashed glass. One resident described the calm as a 'victory'. Hamas hailed its 'defence of Jerusalem', while Israel said its air strikes set the group back strategically. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism from some Israeli mayors for halting the conflict too soon, but he stated Israel had 'exacted a heavy price from Hamas'.
Hamas political leader Ismail Haniya said the fighting had 'defeated the illusions of negotiations' and described resistance as the 'best strategic choice for liberation'. He pledged to rebuild Gaza. Basem Naim of the Hamas Council on International Relations expressed scepticism about the truce's durability 'without justice for Palestinians'. A Hamas official warned Israel that the battle may not be over.
