ID :
339290
Thu, 08/28/2014 - 06:27
Auther :

Ceasefire, A Win For Everyone Who Stand By Gaza Through Thick And Thin

By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Wednesday morning today, appeared more pleasant for Mohamad Alherbawi, and his conversation seems more contented. He took his phone as the wee hours of the morning began and texted everyone he knew. "A permanent ceasefire took effect in Gaza just now (7pm Palestine time or 12am Malaysia time) ending a 50-day massive war in Gaza," the Kuala Lumpur-based media director with the Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia (PCOM) texted Bernama. Since the Israeli army began their cruel attack on Gaza strip on July 8, more than 2,000 were killed, 10,800 injured, 15,700 houses damaged, 29 hospitals as well as 221 schools bombarded. Mohamad said despite the huge destruction, the Palestinian community here are jubilant that the ceasefire was accomplished. "Despite everything, Israel failed in achieving any of its war objectives, the steadfastness of our people in Gaza and their brave resistance have ended off the so-called 'unbreakable Israeli army' once and forever," he said. According to Mohamad, the retreat of Israeli forces and their failure in the war, was celebrated by Palestinians throughout Gaza streets right from the moment it was announced with car honks and people filling all the streets and celebratory gunfires heard everywhere. The euphoria was also shared by netizens around the world who expressed their comments on social media. @kundisanwai twitted Gaza is burning since four hours, but this time with celebrations not explosions. The ceasefire also came as a surprise to some who were still in disbelief that both the Hamas of Palestine and Israel had finally agreed on a long term truce. @Farah_Gazan twitted: 'Can anybody believe that the war is over?' Meanwhile, PCOM board of directors chairman, Muslim Imran believed the victory was a step forward on the path of liberation of all Palestinian land. "We thanked all the free people of this world who stood by Gaza throughout the war. Your efforts and concern mattered a lot," he said. Reuters Wednesday reported that Palestinian and Egyptian officials said the deal, which was mediated in Cairo, called for an indefinite halt to hostilities, the immediate opening of Gaza's blockaded crossings with Israel and Egypt and a widening of the territory's fishing zone in the Mediterranean. It was also reported that under a second stage of the truce that would begin a month later, Israel and the Palestinians would discuss the construction of a Gaza sea port and Israel's release of Hamas prisoners in the occupied West Bank, possibly in a trade for body parts of two Israeli soldiers believed held by Hamas. The ceasefire will also open the path for humanitarian aid from civilians outside Gaza. -- BERNAMA

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