Netanyahu does not sign the agreement/ Israel bombs Gaza, 73 civilians killed

Nga Erjon Dervishi
2025-01-16 14:11:00 | Bota

The Israeli cabinet has failed to sign the terms of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said a "last-minute crisis" with Hamas is delaying approval of a long-awaited agreement to end fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages.

"Hamas rejects some parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an attempt to extract last-minute concessions. The Israeli cabinet will not meet until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement," Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet Office said, A2 reports.

Izzat al-Rashq, a senior Hamas official, said the militant group is "committed to the ceasefire agreement, which was announced by the mediators."

Meanwhile, at least 73 Palestinians have been killed, including 20 children and 25 women, as a result of Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire agreement was announced.

Palestinian Defense Agency spokesman Mahmoud Basal told AFP, adding that 230 people were injured.

The bombings came as residents celebrated a deal reached after months of negotiations brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, which is expected to take effect on Sunday. The deal, which is expected to end the 15-month bloodshed that has killed more than 46,000 people, calls for an initial six-week ceasefire with a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

The hostages taken by Hamas would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. At a press conference in Doha, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani said negotiators are working with Israel and Hamas to implement it.

On social media, users urged Palestinians to exercise extra caution, believing Israel would intensify attacks in the remaining days to maximize gains before the ceasefire began. But as news of the agreement broke, celebrations erupted in Gaza, with crowds blocking roads, chanting, threatening and waving flags. (A2 Televizion)

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