Israel, Hamas claim victory amid Gaza cease-fire

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Uriel Sinai / Getty ImagesHassidic Jewish men from the Breslov sect dance as one blows a horn Thursday near Kibbutz Yad Mordechai outside the northern Gaza Strip, Israel, after a truce was declared.By Ian Johnston and Andrea Mitchell, NBC NewsIsrael’s military said it had accomplished the objectives of its airstrike campaign against Hamas by causing “severe damage” to its military capabilities after a cease-fire was declared late Wednesday.

Follow @NBCNewsWorld A statement on the Israel Defense Forces website said Operation Pillar of Defense had “damaged and destroyed significant elements of Hamas' strategic capabilities” in the Gaza Strip.

“Following eight days of operations, the IDF has accomplished its pre-determined objectives for Operation Pillar of Defense, and has inflicted severe damage to Hamas and its military capabilities,” the  IDF statement said.

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