Gaza Strip enjoyed a second night of calm on Monday as fighting was halted by a fragile ceasefire deal. "Everything is calm, there have been no reports of any activity throughout the night," an Israeli army spokesperson said shortly after dawn. Palestinian security sources also had nothing to report for the first time in over three weeks, AFP reported.
On his part, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh claimed a "great victory". "God has granted us a great victory, not for one faction, or party, or area, but for our entire people," said Haniyeh, Hamas' prime minister, in a televised address.
"We have stopped the aggression and the enemy has failed to achieve any of its goals," he added.
Haniyeh defended the decision to declare truce saying it was “wise and responsible.”
