Israel, Hamas Reportedly Agree to Ceasefire

After weeks of increasing violence, the likes of which has not been since since the end of the Gaza war in 2009, Israel and Hamas have agreed to step back from a major confrontation. A weekend of attacks left 19 Palestinians dead, including six civilians, and 65 injured. In addition, dozens of rockets were fired at southern Israel, and Israel launched airstrikes, the Guardian reports. But now a UN envoy has reportedly brokered a ceasefire, and leaders from both sides indicated they do not wish to escalate the conflict.

The deal calls for IDF to stop its air and artillery strikes and for Palestine to halt rocket and mortar fire, the Jerusalem Post reports. Meanwhile, the Arab League announced today it will ask the UN to impose a no-fly zone over Gaza. (More Arab Israeli conflict stories.)