Israeli airstrikes in Gaza overnight on Thursday resulted in at least 70 deaths, according to local authorities and residents, just hours after a ceasefire agreement and hostage release deal were announced to end 15 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The ceasefire deal, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., was announced on Wednesday. It calls for a six-week ceasefire and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed. Hostages held by Hamas will be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The deal is set to begin on Sunday, but it still requires approval from Israel’s security cabinet, with a vote scheduled for Thursday, January 16. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concerns over Hamas’s last-minute demands and delays in finalizing the agreement.
Despite the announcement of the ceasefire, Israel’s military continued airstrikes, with reports of 71 Palestinians killed and at least 200 others injured. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani confirmed that negotiators were working with both Israel and Hamas to ensure the deal’s implementation.
U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the agreement, highlighting its potential to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza and reunite hostages with their families. However, former President Donald Trump, who assumed office on Monday, claimed credit for the breakthrough.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 46,000 deaths in Gaza, and the displacement of a significant portion of the enclave’s 2.3 million residents.
