The Israeli army on Monday lifted protective restrictions on residents in southern Israel, while the Hamas militant group’s radio station in the Gaza Strip reported a cease-fire, signaling a deal had been reached to end the bloodiest fighting between the two sides since a 2014 war. He said Hamas could still use “different pressuring tools” to pressure Israel into easing a crippling blockade of Gaza it has enforced along with Egypt. Israel and Hamas are bitter enemies and have fought three wars and numerous smaller battles since the Islamic militant group seized Gaza in 2007. In the northern Gaza Strip, residents searched for a man and his wife missing among the rubble of an apartment building. ___Akram reported from Gaza City, Gaza Strip.

Source: Washington Post May 06, 2019 00:41 UTC