Palestinians in Gaza celebrate their near survival from genocide

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16 January, 2025


Palestinians celebrated their near survival from genocide after 15 months of war. Mediator Qatar said Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza starting on Sunday and a hostage and prisoner exchange.

Thirty-three Israeli captives will be released in the first phase of the agreement that could become a "permanent ceasefire".

Also in the first phase, Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza to allow for the swap of prisoners, as well as the swap of remains and the return of the displaced people to their residences.

The number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in return for the Israeli captives in the second and third phases would be "finalised" during the inital 42 days. Joint mediators Qatar, the US and Egypt will monitor the ceasefire deal through a body based in Cairo, urging "calm" in Gaza before the agreement comes into force.

Despite the announcement, Israel continues bombing Gaza ahead of the 19 January deadline, killing dozens overnight. Gaza's civil defence agency said that at least seven people had been killed in fresh Israeli strikes in the Palestinian territory, hours before Israel's cabinet was set to vote on a ceasefire deal.