The ceasefire in Gaza has finally taken effect, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The truce officially began at 11:15 a.m. local time, following a delay of nearly three hours. The delay was attributed to a technical issue on the Hamas side, which caused a holdup in delivering the names of three hostages set to be released to Israel on Sunday.
Unfortunately, Israeli strikes continued after the initially scheduled ceasefire start time of 8:30 a.m. This resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 13 Palestinians, with 30 others sustaining injuries, as reported by hospital and civil defense officials.
The situation in Gaza has been tense and volatile, with both sides experiencing significant losses and casualties. The ceasefire, while a welcome development, comes after days of intense conflict and bloodshed. It is hoped that this truce will provide a much-needed respite for the people of Gaza and pave the way for further negotiations and efforts towards lasting peace in the region.
