Hamas and Israel agree on Gaza ceasefire deal: 20 people killed in Gaza

Israel's cabinet is scheduled to convene today to endorse a ceasefire deal and the release of hostages in Gaza

In an attempt to bring the 15-month conflict to a close, Israel's cabinet is scheduled to convene today to endorse a ceasefire deal and the release of hostages in Gaza. Although combat is still going on, families of a number of Israeli and Palestinian hostages have welcomed the deal, which is anticipated to start on Sunday with an initial six-week ceasefire.

At least 20 Palestinians have been murdered since the agreement was announced yesterday evening, according to Gaza's civil defense service. Jeremy Bowen says from Jerusalem that while the truce is a long-overdue diplomatic victory, it won't end the centuries-old struggle.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and capturing 251 prisoners who were later returned to Gaza. Over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's huge offensive on Gaza as a result of this attack, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.

According to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, this deal is a "victory for Hamas.

Before attacking Israel on October 7, the gang allegedly sought support from Iran.

The ceasefire deal was hailed as a "major victory" for Hamas in a statement from Iran's influential Revolutionary Guards. They likened it to the attack that had started the current conflict on October 7, 2023.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, said on the social media site X on Thursday that the "resistance front," which Iran supports, had "forced the Zionist regime to retreat." Iran has historically backed Hamas, according to papers *The New York Times* published last year. Before attacking Israel on October 7, the gang allegedly sought support from Iran.

According to the documents, a top Iranian officer told Hamas that although Iran and Hezbollah, a militant and political organization in Lebanon, were in principle supportive, they needed more time to make preparations. In the end, Hezbollah and Iran did not take part in the assault.

The head of the United Nations' development agency stated, "We are dealing with 40 million tons of debris in Gaza."

We need to remove 40 million tons of waste alone. This material contains unexploded bombs and is highly toxic and dangerous.

According to the head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), rebuilding Gaza could require "decades" of development. We need to remove 40 million tons of waste alone. This material contains unexploded bombs and is highly toxic and dangerous.

In order for people to return to their homes or shelters, Steiner, who is in charge of efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate displaced communities, underlined the necessity of a tremendous effort to clear the rubble. He continued, "This is an extremely complex challenge that we are now inevitably facing." Steiner also emphasized that access to humanitarian aid and a total halt in hostilities in Gaza are the two most important tasks in the first forty-two days after a ceasefire agreement.

There are a lot of limitations on our ability to move supplies and products into Gaza,” he said. To provide life-saving aid, we must create access and guarantee security.

Before the truce took effect, Israeli attacks claimed the lives of almost 20 individuals.

Following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement, Israeli bombings in Gaza killed over 20 people last night, according to the Hamas-run civil defense organization

Following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement, Israeli bombings in Gaza killed over 20 people last night, according to the Hamas-run civil defense organization. Twelve inhabitants of a residential block in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan district were among the victims, according to the agency.

There have been no official statements from the Israeli military. Although the ceasefire agreement has been declared, the Israeli government must still approve it. It won't go into effect until Sunday if it is authorized. 

Prior to ceasefire agreements taking effect, Israel has already conducted airstrikes. For example, hours before a ceasefire in November, severe bombardment was reported in Lebanon's capital, Beirut. In the first phase of this ceasefire deal with Hamas, hundreds of Palestinian detainees detained in Israeli prisons will be exchanged for the release of 33 hostages from Gaza.

What uncertainties remain regarding this deal?

Months of informal conversations were necessary to get to this position, particularly given the total mistrust between Israel and Hamas. Israel found it unacceptable that Hamas wanted the war to be over before releasing the hostages. As long as its requirements are fulfilled, the ceasefire would essentially put an end to the conflict. It's unclear, though, if this would signify the end of the battle. Dismantling Hamas's military and political capacities has been one of Israel's main war goals. Even though Israel has seriously destroyed these, Hamas can still function and regroup to some extent.

Furthermore, it is unclear which hostages are dead and which are surviving, as well as if Hamas is aware of the whereabouts of every person who has gone missing. Israel has stated that it will not comply with Hamas' demands for the release of certain inmates. According to reports, these include the perpetrators of the October 7 attacks. Furthermore, it is unclear if Israel will consent to leave the buffer zone by a given date or if its stay there will be permanent.