Thu Jan 16 11:27:53 UTC 2025: ## Gaza Ceasefire Deal Delayed Amidst Accusations and Deadly Strikes

**JERUSALEM/GAZA CITY** – A highly anticipated ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar and expected to begin Sunday, has been thrown into jeopardy. Israel has delayed a cabinet vote on the agreement, accusing Hamas of violating its terms. Hamas denies this, claiming full commitment to the truce.

The three-phase deal, announced Wednesday, immediately faced setbacks. Just hours after its announcement, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 45 people in Gaza City, according to Gaza Civil Defense. These attacks targeted several residential areas, leaving behind scenes of devastation and numerous casualties. Hospitals in Gaza City are overwhelmed, bracing for further violence before the ceasefire officially takes effect.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that the cabinet vote is on hold until mediators confirm Hamas’s full adherence to the agreement. Izzat al-Rishq, a Hamas official, countered this claim, asserting Hamas’s commitment to the ceasefire.

Adding to the grim situation, Raafat Salha, director of the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) in Gaza, died from injuries sustained in an Israeli airstrike earlier this week. The ICHR holds Israel fully responsible for this attack, which also claimed the lives of 12 of Salha’s family members. The IDF has yet to comment on these accusations.

Protests against the deal erupted in Jerusalem on Thursday, with demonstrators blocking roads and expressing opposition to what they termed a “surrender.”

International organizations, including the UN, have welcomed the ceasefire agreement but are demanding rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza to address the dire humanitarian crisis resulting from 15 months of conflict. The war has claimed the lives of over 46,000 Gazans, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, though independent studies suggest the number may be significantly higher.

World leaders, including those from the EU and US, have expressed support for the deal, urging all parties to uphold their commitments and ensure its full implementation. However, the uncertainty surrounding the agreement’s future and the continued violence cast a shadow over hopes for lasting peace. The initial phase of the deal involves a ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Subsequent phases are less defined. Families of hostages express both relief and apprehension, unsure of the timeline for their loved ones’ return.

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