ADVERTISEMENT

NewsWorld

Israel Intensifies Gaza Attacks Just Hours After Ceasefire Deal

Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza just hours after announcing a ceasefire and a hostage release deal, according to statements from residents and authorities in the Palestinian enclave.

The Hamas-run civil defence agency reports that 71 individuals have died in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza since the ceasefire was announced yesterday.

This increase in aggression occurred as mediators worked to de-escalate the situation before the truce was set to begin on Sunday.

A complex ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that governs Gaza, following mediation led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

This deal came after 15 months of intense conflict that wreaked havoc on the coastal territory and heightened tensions across the Middle East.

The agreement stipulates a six-week ceasefire during which Israeli forces will gradually pull out from the Gaza Strip, a region that has seen immense loss of life.

In exchange, hostages held by Hamas will be released in return for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The ceasefire will not be finalized until it receives approval from Israel’s security cabinet and government, with a vote planned for Thursday, according to an Israeli official.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of introducing last-minute demands and reneging on prior commitments.

Netanyahu’s office released a statement declaring that the Israeli cabinet would not meet until mediators confirmed that Hamas had agreed to all terms of the deal.

A senior official from Hamas, Izzat el-Reshiq, confirmed on Thursday that the group is committed to the ceasefire terms announced earlier by the mediators.

Despite resistance from hardliners within Netanyahu’s government who are intent on derailing the deal, it is anticipated that the majority of ministers will support it.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that his party would remain in the government only if Israel recommenced full-scale warfare until Hamas is completely defeated.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right police minister, has also threatened to resign from the government should the ceasefire be ratified.

Celebrations erupted in both Gaza and Israel following the ceasefire announcement, yet the Israeli military escalated its offensive shortly afterward.

On Thursday, militants from Gaza launched a rocket into Israel, which the Israeli military confirmed caused no injuries.

Israeli airstrikes that night and into early Thursday resulted in the deaths of at least 46 Palestinians, as reported by health officials in Gaza.

During a press conference in Doha, the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced that the ceasefire would commence on Sunday, with ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas to implement the agreed-upon steps.

U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, stated, “This deal will cease the fighting in Gaza, provide critical humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and reunite hostages with their families after being held for over 15 months.”

Donald Trump, who is set to take office on Monday, credited himself for the breakthrough in the situation in Gaza.

The prospect of seeing Palestinian militants, previously sentenced to life for their roles in deadly attacks, being freed is challenging for Israelis.

Nonetheless, successive polls indicate strong public support for the deal that facilitates the release of hostages, despite the significant concessions involved.

Chava Treitel, a resident of Jerusalem, expressed, “This has to be our only choice for survival as a state and as a nation, driven by our commitment to do whatever it takes to protect one another.”

As the conflict involving Gaza widened, Israel achieved significant victories against Iran and its allies, particularly Hezbollah. Although Hamas in Gaza might have been weakened, the lack of a viable replacement has left it as the de facto authority.