Calm prevails in Gaza as ceasefire takes hold

The Gaza Strip is witnessing relative calm as the ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas militants has held since it went into effect on May 21 after the 11-day conflict, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Routine life is being restored throughout Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, Xinhua news agency quoted the OCHA as saying on Monday. Some of the main roads have been made passable, and the authorities are fixing damaged electrical lines, water and wastewater networks, said OCHA. It is critical that all parties work to maintain the ceasefire, it said. Unimpeded humanitarian access is critical to ensure an effective response in Gaza. Humanitarian personnel must have freedom of movement to undertake their functions. Humanitarian personnel and objects used for humanitarian relief operations must also be protected and respected, said OCHA. A flash appeal for Gaza will be launched on Thursday, it said. (IANS)

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