Rejects ceasefire
The armed wing of Hamas rejects the Egypt-brokered ceasefire offer with Israel and says that it learned of the deal through the media and has not been approached ‘officially or unofficially’ by either of the other two parties. Qassam Brigades:
Our battle with the enemy will continue and will increase in ferocity and intensity
The political wing of the party follows, saying the deal fails to fulfill conditions set by Hamas including a conclusive end of the Israeli and Egyptian blockade and the release of certain prisoners from Israeli jails. Officials are also angered that they only found out about the deal via media. Opinion is divided with at least one Hamas official saying that the group is considering its reaction while others in the political and military wings reject the truce outright.
The outcome of discussions within the internal institutions of the movement was to reject the proposal and therefore, Hamas informed Egypt last night it apologises for not accepting it
Operation Protective Edge starts
The Israel Defense Forces launches Operation Tzuk Eitan or Protective Edge. Airstrikes begin on selected targets in the Gaza Strip after 80 rockets are launched in a single day, and sirens are heard as far as as Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh and Gush Etzion announcing another barrage of 30 long range rockets is on its way in as the operation gets underway. The Israel Air Force begins dropping leaflets in various neighborhoods, telling residents to evacuate as it targets the homes of senior Hamas members.
#IDF has commenced Operation Protective Edge in #Gaza against #Hamas, in order to stop the terror #Israel's citizens face on a daily basis
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 7, 2014