Ceasefire Agreed Upon in Gaza Strip: Israeli CommanderIsrael and the Palestinians have agreed on a ceasefire and related arrangements in Gaza Strip, an Israeli officer said Sunday.The Israeli officer commanding the Southern Command, Yomtov Samia, said a four-point deal includes a total ceasefire in the south, the opening of all routes in Gaza Strip, the cessation of all Palestinian incitement in the media and the halt of wholesale release of terrorist prisoners by the Palestinians. There has been no comment from the Palestinians yet. In the meantime, Israel Radio has decided to be on alert over Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, the holiest Jewish holiday in the year, instead of going off the air. The Israeli chief rabbinate has authorized the public to leave radios on. In the event of an emergency, the broadcasts will be resumed. Israel TV will follow the same pattern on the day when Jews will go fasting for 24 hours. In a pre-Yom Kippur address, Chief Rabbi Yisrael Lau called on the public to refrain from hurting Israel's Arab citizens. The call follows a spate of attacks during the weekend on Israeli Arabs by Jews angered at the security situation. Earlier in the day police rounded up dozens of Jews suspected of participating in overnight anti-Arab rioting in and around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. In view of the escalating tension, particularly after three Israeli soldiers were captured by Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas Saturday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chaplain has given a special dispensation to soldiers who are involved in fighting to eat and drink on Yom Kippur, which starts from sunset Sunday and ends Monday evening. |
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