Tensions have been rising in recent days amid allegations from Hamas that Israel has been delaying implementation of last month’s cease-fire understandings. Israel and Egypt have maintained a crippling blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007. Following heavy fighting in late March, Israel agreed to ease the blockade in exchange for a halt to rocket fire. In response, Israeli aircraft carried out retaliatory strikes, killing two Hamas militants. For over a year, the Islamic group has orchestrated mass demonstrations each week along the Israeli frontier to draw attention to Gaza’s plight.

Source: thestar May 04, 2019 13:52 UTC