Al Jazeera reported the deaths of 30 people in an Israeli strike on Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a massive strike on the Gaza Strip after reaching a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, killing at least 30 Palestinians. Al Jazeera TV channel reported on January 16.
"Israeli forces continue their attacks across the Gaza Strip, killing at least 30 Palestinians in the enclave since the agreement was announced," the publication said.
The TV channel specified that among them there are children. Thus, one child was killed as a result of shelling of a house in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood. However, the removal of rubble is still ongoing.
The agreement on ceasefire in Gaza between the Palestinian movement Hamas and Israel became known on January 15. In the first phase, which will last 42 days, 33 Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The agreement will come into force on January 19.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip under the agreement will take at least several weeks. On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) press office noted that the Israeli army is preparing to receive the freed hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held phone conversations separately with Trump and Biden, during which he thanked them for their help in reaching a deal on Gaza. US President Joe Biden noted during his farewell address to the nation that the plan for the deal was developed and agreed upon by his administration. He added that it will be implemented by the team of the elected American leader Donald Trump.
Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog, in turn, called the agreement a correct and necessary step. According to him, the Israeli authorities will seek the return of all prisoners.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also supported the deal and expressed readiness to assist in its implementation. He also emphasized that the UN is "unwavering in its commitment" to peace and stability in the region, and will do everything to ensure that civilians are supported.
The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian radical movement Hamas subjected Israeli territory to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.
