Israel released three of its captives and five Thai nationals from Gaza in a prisoner swap deal. The release came amid emotional scenes in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank as captives and prisoners were reunited with their loved ones.
Hamas confirmed the death of its military chief, Mohammed Deif, and other senior commanders. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said it is continuing to operate despite Israel’s ban on the agency coming into effect.
US President Donald Trump has proposed transferring Gaza’s entire population to Egypt and Jordan, which analysts say would amount to ethnic cleansing. Trump’s plan was rejected by Egypt and Jordan, but he remains committed to finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The release of Palestinian prisoner Zakaria Zubeidi, who escaped from an Israeli prison in 2021, has raised concerns about Israel’s ability to maintain control over Gaza. The Jenin refugee camp, where Zubeidi grew up, has become a battle zone with increased military operations by Israel.
As tensions continue to escalate, the international community is calling for calm and restraint. The World Health Organization (WHO) director general has urged Israel to reverse its ban on UNRWA, which provides critical services to Palestinian refugees.
The developments come amid a backdrop of violence in Jenin, where two people were killed in fighting with Israeli forces. The situation remains fluid, and the international community is closely monitoring the situation.
In related news, Lebanon’s Health Ministry has reported that Israel has attacked hospitals 68 times since October 2023, resulting in eight hospital closures and seven remaining partially operational.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/1/30/live-israel-hamas-to-exchange-captives-as-north-gaza-waits-for-aid