On the morning of May 6, 2019, Palestinian and Israeli officials reached a ceasefire agreement that halted a surge of violence in Gaza between the Israeli military and militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The ceasefire ended a weekend of intense fighting that killed at least 25 Palestinians and 4 Israelis and left hundreds wounded.
The conflict that erupted over the weekend was some of the worst recorded violence since conflict between Israel and Hamas in 2014. Responding to an estimated 600 rockets and mortars fired into southern Israel by militant groups, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered targeted airstrikes as well as an increased military presence around the Gaza Strip. Although a ceasefire was initiated, leaders on both sides are doubtful of the agreement's longevity.
