Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza after a ceasefire was announced

Israeli airstrikes are continuing in Gaza ahead of a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas, which will come into force on Sunday, subject to approval by the Israeli cabinet.

The strikes killed 73 people in one night, following the announcement of the agreement, reported the Hamas-affiliated Civil Defense Organization in Gaza.

The victims include 12 people who were living in a residential area in the Sheikh Radwan area of ​​Gaza City, the Ministry of Health said.

The Israel Defense Forces initially said a “fallen projectile” had been identified in southern Israel on Thursday, but later said it was misidentified.

In the past, Israel has started airstrikes as preparations for a cease-fire will be implemented, most recently in Lebanon, there. heavy bombing it attacked the capital, Beirut, just hours before a ceasefire there in November.

It was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to be approved by Gaza ceasefire agreement parliament on Thursday, but his office says Hamas has “withdrawn” from parts of the agreement, causing a “last-minute problem”.

It adds that the Cabinet will not meet until Hamas accepts “all parts of the agreement”.

A senior Hamas official told the BBC that his organization was committed to the agreement announced by the mediators and that the head of its delegation, Khalil al-Hayya, had officially informed Qatar and Egypt of the approval of all terms of the agreement.

Two hardline right-wing ministers, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have long threatened to quit the coalition government if the ceasefire continues.

That could trigger new elections in Israel, but their resignations will not block a deal if Netanyahu wants it to happen, observers say.

Qatar’s prime minister – who has been mediating the talks – called for “calm” on both sides before the start of the first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement.

This will see 33 hostages – including women, children and adults – exchange with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

The Israeli army will also withdraw to the east, far away there are many people Gaza areas.

Displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes and hundreds of aid trucks will eventually be allowed to enter the area each day.

The second phase of talks – which should see the release of remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and a return to “sustainable calm” – will begin on the 16th.

The third and final phase will involve the return of any remaining bodies of hostages and the reconstruction of Gaza – something that could take years.

Achim Steiner of the United Nations Development Program told the BBC’s Newsday that rebuilding Gaza will be a major challenge, given the extensive damage caused by the war.

He said 40 million tons of “toxic” waste needs to be removed before Gazans can return to their homes.

“This is a very difficult task that we are facing now,” he said.

Israel launched a campaign to destroy Hamas – described as a terrorist organization by Israel, the US and others – in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were captured. .

More than 46,700 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the area.

Most of the 2.3 million people have also been displaced, there is widespread destruction and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter, while aid agencies struggle to get help to those in need.

Israel says 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas, 34 of whom are presumed dead. In addition, there are four Israelis who were captured before the war, two of whom died.