KUALA LUMPUR – An Israeli strike on a residential area in northern Gaza killed at least 12 people and injured 20 others on Wednesday, according to the Gaza Civil Defence, shortly after the announcement of the ceasefire-for-hostages agreement, which is set to begin on Sunday.
The strike targeted “a residential block consisting of multiple houses in the vicinity of Sheikh Radwan,” a neighbourhood in Gaza City, CNN reported.
The agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States (US), comes after more than a year of intensive negotiations.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani confirmed the agreement during a press conference in Doha, noting that the first phase will last 42 days. It will include the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian hostages.
“The parties to the conflict in Gaza have reached an agreement to release hostages in exchange for hostages and prisoners, and a return to sustainable calm, ultimately achieving a permanent ceasefire,” a joint statement from the mediators said.
The agreement outlines three stages, with the initial phase focusing on a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas, the return of displaced Palestinians, and the provision of critical humanitarian aid.
This aid will include medical supplies, food, fuel, and shelter materials, alongside the rehabilitation of hospitals, health centres, and bakeries.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in a statement on Facebook, welcomed the agreement, emphasising the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“This agreement highlights the importance of quickly providing critical aid to the people of Gaza to address the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe without any obstacles until a sustainable peace is achieved through a two-state solution,” he said.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi echoed this sentiment, calling for an immediate international initiative to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
“Jordan, under the guidance of King Abdullah II, will continue providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and supporting the Palestinian people in their pursuit of their legitimate rights to achieve a just peace,” the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said.
Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope that the ceasefire would lead to a sustainable resolution and the restoration of Palestinians’ rights.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia stressed the importance of adhering to the agreement, urging a focus on enabling the Palestinian people to establish an independent state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The mediators – Qatar, Egypt, and the US – have committed to overseeing the implementation of the agreement and urged other countries to support these efforts. They will coordinate with the UN and international partners to ensure the smooth delivery of aid to Gaza and the agreement’s full execution.
The announcement marks a significant step towards ending the hostilities in Gaza, which, with US backing, have caused over 156,000 casualties, including many women and children, amid widespread destruction and one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent times. – January 16, 2025