Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal to start Sunday; attacks on Gaza continue

 

Palestinians in Gaza are celebrating after mediators confirmed a ceasefire deal has been reached between Hamas and Israel after 15 months of war. The truce is set to take effect on Sunday, January 19.

Israeli forces, however, are continuing with their attacks across the Gaza Strip, killing at least 40 Palestinians in the enclave since the agreement was announced, according to media reports.

Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq says the deal reached in the Qatari capital, Doha, meets all of the Palestinian group’s conditions, including the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of displaced people to their homes and a permanent end to the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump for their “assistance in advancing” an agreement to end “the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families”.

Israel’s war in Gaza has killed at least 46,707 Palestinians and wounded 110,265 since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day and more than 200 were taken captive.