The recent Gaza ceasefire has brought no relief as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 80 Palestinians on Thursday. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the strikes killed 81 people and injured 188. The civil defense reported that five children’s bodies were recovered after an airstrike in Jabalia, a northern city.
AFP reported that among the dead were 20 children and 25 women. The attacks occurred just hours after Qatar announced a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which is set to take effect on January 19. However, the deal awaits approval from the Israeli cabinet led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Although considered a major move toward peace, the truce was marred by increasing airstrikes. Gaza resident Saeed Alloush expressed the despair of the community: “We were waiting for the truce and were happy. It was the happiest night since October 7. Suddenly, we received news of 40 people’s martyrdom,” including his uncle. He described the overwhelming sorrow as “an earthquake struck.
The ceasefire details a six-week preliminary truce and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, step by step. As part of the agreement, Hamas is also to swap its hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
However, the pact faces obstacles since Israeli officials claim that Hamas has rolled back parts of the deal. According to a statement released by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office, Hamas’s actions have created a “last minute crisis,” which has slowed it down. In fact, the Israeli cabinet will not gather to pass the pact until mediators confirm that Hamas has fully accepted the terms.
The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, remains in jeopardy as tensions persist, raising concerns about the fragile state of peace in the region.
