Israeli general: Gaza ceasefire holds six days

Southern Command OC Maj. Gen. Tal Rousso told reporters Tuesday: The ceasefire is holding surprisingly well. There is absolute quiet in the Gaza sector except for disorderly incidents – unlike anything we have seen after past operations. The change from before to after the operation is extreme and the deterrence level very high.

Israel is now working on more understandings with Hamas through Egyptian mediation, he said. Rousso referred to Palestinian attempts to breach the fence as disorders that will be dealt with. Our forces are under orders to keep them away from the fence and prevent trespassing, said the general. If necessary they may shoot low at the legs of offenders. Monday, a Palestinian after breaching the border fence, attacked an Israeli woman in Moshav Sdeh Avraham with a knife. She fought him off. Commenting on this incident, Rousso said the IDF still had much to learn about the new situation but was firmly committed to keeping the southern population safe.