Israel and Palestinian militants declare Gaza truce

GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group declared a truce late on Sunday, raising hopes of an end to the most serious flare-up on the Gaza frontier in more than a year.

After the martyrdom of 44 people, including 15 innocent children, and the wounding of more than 300 people, a ceasefire between the Islamic Alliance and the Israeli army took place in Gaza.

In the two-day clashes, all the blood of the Palestinians was shed. There were no casualties in the retaliatory rocket attacks of the Islamic Alliance. The spokesperson of Islamic Jihad says that they appreciate Egypt's efforts for a ceasefire.

Dozens of houses in Gaza have been destroyed by the Israeli bombardment. Electricity and water systems have also been destroyed. Foreign aid is not reaching due to the Israeli blockade. Even hospitals have only 2 days of fuel left to run generators.

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, says that the Israeli attacks are illegal, and she strongly criticized the US for giving Israel the right to defend itself. He further said that Gaza is on the verge of a humanitarian crisis, the blockade should be lifted to deliver aid.

The Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Muhammad Shatia, showed the pictures of the martyred children in the press conference and said that the world conscience should be awakened by seeing the pictures of these children. He added that the international community should help stop Israel's brutality.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavus telephoned Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and discussed the Israeli attacks and the ceasefire. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the telephone call discussed the Israeli attacks and the Israeli incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.