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The United States is “confident” that last-minute issues with Israel’s ceasefire deal with Hamas will be resolved before Sunday, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of backtracking the agreement.
“We’re going to get this done,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told NBC News. “We are confident that we will be able to resolve these last minute issues and move things forward, and that this ceasefire can take place from Sunday.”
This comes after Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of trying to “extort last-minute concessions,” before a senior Hamas official reiterated the Palestinian group’s commitment to Wednesday’s deal.
The dispute involves the identity of several prisoners whose release Hamas is demanding, a U.S. official said, adding that the deal is expected to be resolved soon.
This comes as Israeli airstrikes continued on Gaza overnight and into Thursday, killing at least 77 people, including 21 children and 25 women, according to Gaza Civil Defense.
The deal involves an initial six-week pause in the 15 months of bloodshed that has devastated the Gaza Strip, leaving more than 46,000 Palestinians dead and millions displaced.
He also promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
Comment | I’m in Gaza – I’m afraid Israel will kill us before the ceasefire starts
Ammar Kaskeen writes from northern Gaza:
Alex CroftJanuary 16, 2025 5:07 p.m.
What will happen over the next three days as the ceasefire deal hangs in the balance
This is the moment when a political drama turns into a desperate horror film. Some 94 human beings, including children, remain detained in a constantly bombed city, hungry, terrified and literally in the dark as their lives are bargained for.
Hopes that their 15-month ordeal would finally end emerged Wednesday evening after bold words from U.S. and Qatari officials proclaiming a deal had been reached.
Under a deal that the United States, Hamas, top mediators, Qatar and most Israelis believed was done and dusted, 33 hostages were to be released from Hamas prisons in exchange for dozens of Palestinians held by Israel over the next six weeks.
Sam Kiley, global affairs editor of The Independent newspaper reports:
Alex CroftJanuary 16, 2025 4:48 p.m.
Blinken heckled by journalist during briefing
During a briefing on the Gaza ceasefire agreement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was heckled by someone who appeared to be a journalist as he thanked reporters in the briefing room. have called the American government to account.
“Journalists in Gaza were the targets of your bombs. Why did you continue to pass around the bombs when we had an agreement? Everyone in this room knows we had a deal, Tony, and that you passed around the bombs,” the heckler said.
Mr. Blinken responded: “I’m happy to answer your questions when we get to the questions, thank you.” »
The heckler continued: “Why did you allow my friends to be massacred? How does it feel to let your legacy be genocide? »
Speaking to State Department spokesperson Matt Miller, the heckler added: “You too, Matt, smiled through all of this, every day. You smiled during a genocide.
Alex CroftJanuary 16, 2025 4:29 p.m.
Leading children’s charity ‘completely appalled’ by Israeli attacks after ceasefire deal
A leading British children’s charity has said it is “totally appalled” by continued Israeli bombing of Gaza following the conclusion of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Since the announcement of the ceasefire agreement, which is due to come into force on Sunday, 77 people have been killed in Gaza in Israeli attacks, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said. Among those killed, 21 were children and 25 women, a Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson told CNN.
“We are totally dismayed by the ongoing Israeli bombing of Gaza, which continues to claim the lives of children despite yesterday’s agreement. This must stop now,” said Kathleen Spencer Chapman, director of influence and external affairs at Plan International UK.
“It is essential that the ceasefire announced yesterday is immediately ratified and implemented by all parties. The children of Gaza are in dire need of food, water and shelter – and we are in a race against time to reach them. Hunger, dehydration and disease kill as surely as bullets and bombs, and every hour lost puts the lives of more children at risk.
“After 15 months of unimaginable violence, the children of Gaza finally have a moment of hope. It is time to end this horror and help families in Gaza rebuild their lives and their homes. There must be no no further delays.”
Alex CroftJanuary 16, 2025 4:21 p.m.
Watch Live: Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers speech on Gaza ceasefire agreement
Alex CroftJanuary 16, 2025 4:06 p.m.
21 children killed since ceasefire agreement, Gaza official says
A Gaza Civil Defense spokesman said 21 children were among 77 Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes since a ceasefire agreement was announced on Wednesday.
There were also 25 women among the dead, spokesman Mahmoud Basal told CNN. More than 250 other people were injured, he added.
Alex CroftJanuary 16, 2025 4:02 p.m.
Biden and Trump envoys work on last-minute deal issue
U.S. envoys are working to resolve a last-minute issue that emerged Thursday over details of the Gaza hostage ceasefire deal, an official said.
The dispute centers on the identity of several prisoners whose release Hamas is demanding as part of the deal, the official said, adding that the deal is expected to be resolved soon.
President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoys, Brett McGurk and Steve Witkoff, are both working on the issue in Doha with Qatari and Egyptian negotiators.
In separate remarks, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said: “We are aware of these issues and are working to resolve them with the Israeli government, as well as other partners. in the region. We are confident that these implementation details can be hammered out. and that the deal will move forward this weekend.
Concluded on Wednesday, the agreement is expected to begin implementation on Sunday.
Alex CroftJanuary 16, 2025 3:41 p.m.
In pictures: Israeli attacks on Gaza continue days before ceasefire
Alex CroftJanuary 16, 2025 3:32 p.m.
Israel targets site where hostages are being held after ceasefire, Hamas says
Israel has targeted a site in Gaza where a woman is being held hostage after reaching a ceasefire agreement, spokesman Abu Obeida said Thursday.
“After announcing the agreement, the enemy army targeted a location where one of the women prisoners of the first stage of the ceasefire agreement was located,” Obeida said.
“Any aggression and bombardment by the enemy at this stage could turn a prisoner’s freedom into a tragedy. »
The report has not been independently verified.
Alex CroftJanuary 16, 2025 3:14 p.m.
‘The destruction of Gaza does not improve Israel’s situation’ – cousin of October 7 victim
The destruction of Gaza by Israeli forces does not improve the situation “in Israel,” said Tal Haimi, cousin of the October victim.
“I take no pleasure in seeing what is happening in Gaza,” said Udi Goren. “I take no pleasure in the suffering of Gaza and civilians. I take no pleasure in seeing the destruction and what is happening on the other side of the fence. I don’t think this improves my situation personally or in Israel. »
Alex CroftJanuary 16, 2025 3:08 p.m.