A ceasefire agreement with Hamas is set to take effect on Sunday, but Israeli air strikes continue in Gaza ahead of the deal, killing 73 people overnight. The strikes targeted 50 locations, including a residential block in Gaza City that killed 12 people.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) initially misidentified a fallen projectile in southern Israel, but later corrected its statement. The IDF said one man was killed in an attack linked to Hamas’s October 7th assault.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to ratify the agreement in parliament, but his office claims Hamas has “reneged” on parts of the deal, leading to a last-minute crisis. A senior Hamas official denied this, stating that the movement is committed to the agreement.
The ceasefire includes the exchange of 33 hostages for Palestinian prisoners and Israeli forces’ withdrawal from densely populated areas. Displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return home, and aid lorries will be permitted into Gaza daily.
Reconstruction efforts will begin on the 16th day, but experts warn it could take years due to the massive destruction caused by the war. The UN Development Programme estimates 40 million tons of toxic rubble need to be removed before Gazans can return.
The conflict has resulted in over 46,788 deaths and widespread destruction, with most of Gaza’s population displaced. Aid agencies are struggling to reach those in need as food, fuel, medicine, and shelter shortages worsen.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crke088e27lo