Over 86 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Following Ceasefire Declaration
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Synopsis
The conflict in Gaza escalates as at least 86 Palestinians, including 23 children, are reported dead following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Ongoing Israeli military actions continue to exacerbate the dire humanitarian situation.
Key Takeaways
- At least 86 Palestinians killed in Gaza.
- Ceasefire announced between Israel and Hamas.
- Over 258 individuals injured.
- Israeli military targeted around 50 sites.
- International mediators aim for a prisoner exchange and lasting peace.
Gaza, Jan 17 (NationPress) At least 86 Palestinians, including 23 children, lost their lives in Gaza after the announcement of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday, as reported by the Palestinian Civil Defence, amidst continuous Israeli assaults on the region.
According to the Civil Defence's statement, 73 fatalities occurred in Gaza City in the northern part, four in central Gaza, and nine in the southern areas.
The deceased comprised 23 children and 27 women, with more than 258 individuals suffering various injuries, the statement indicated.
The Israeli army, on its side, stated that its air force targeted nearly 50 sites throughout Gaza in recent hours, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Among the targets were members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, military installations, weapon storage sites, rocket-launching locations, and weapon manufacturing facilities, as mentioned in a press release.
Furthermore, it accused Hamas of systematically breaching international law by ruthlessly using civilian structures and populations as human shields for its operations, asserting that it will persist in taking decisive action against such organizations.
Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, which have been mediating between Israel and Hamas to halt the conflict in Gaza, issued a joint statement announcing that the two sides had reached an agreement for a prisoner and hostage exchange, along with a return to sustainable peace, intending for a permanent ceasefire between them.
This agreement is anticipated to come into effect on Sunday.
Earlier that day, Israel's military reported that it struck around 50 locations across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, a day after consenting to the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
The military stated that the strikes targeted a militant involved in the Hamas-led assault on Israeli communities in October 2023, noting that the militant was a participant in the massacre at the Nova Music Festival.
Additionally, it attacked other military installations of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, weapons storage and manufacturing facilities, launch sites, and observation posts, according to the statement.
Since October 7, 2023, Hamas and Israel have been embroiled in a brutal conflict that has claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza and led to unparalleled devastation.
The conflict ignited after Hamas executed a surprise assault on Israel, resulting in Israeli casualties and hostage situations.
