“We were informed by our brothers in Egypt that an agreement had been reached for a mutual and simultaneous ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, starting at 2 a.m. on Friday, May 21, 2021,” the Hamas statement read. “And that the Palestinian resistance will abide by this agreement as long as the occupation is committed.”
Biden’s statement summary
U.S. President Biden thanked both Israel and Egypt for their part in stopping the violence during a televised address that aired Thursday evening.
He praised Netanyahu for winding down the violence. He also maintains that the Israeli military was justified in launching airstrikes at militant targets since they were attacked.
“The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks from Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist groups that have taken the lives of innocent civilians in Israel,” he said.
Biden sent condolences out to the victims’ families on both sides of the conflict. And he also pledged to aid in rebuilding Gaza. The aid will be in partnership with the Palestinian Authority and not given to the Hamas militants.
