70 People In Gaza Killed In Israeli Airstrikes After Ceasefire Deal

JAKARTA - Israeli airstrikes killed 70 people in Gaza on Thursday night, residents and authorities in the region said. Israeli attacks were carried out just hours after the ceasefire and a deal to release hostages was announced.

An elaborate ceasefire agreement comes on Wednesday, January 15, after mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the United States to halt a war that has devastated coastal territory and ignited Middle East turmoil.

The agreement, scheduled to be held from Sunday, January 19, outlines an initial six-week ceasefire with a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.

Hostages held hostage by the militant group Hamas, which controls the area, will be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.

Israel's acceptance of the agreement will not be official until it is approved by the country's security cabinet and government, and a vote is scheduled for Thursday, an Israeli official said.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of making demands at the last minute and canceling the agreement.

"Israel's cabinet will not convene until the mediators inform Israel that Hamas has received all elements of the agreement," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

It is unclear what the latest impact of the delay will have on the deal.

Hardline groups in the Netanyahu government are still hoping to stop the deal, although the majority of ministers are expected to still support it.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said his party would only stay in government if Israel continued the war with full force until Hamas was defeated. Right-wing police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also threatened to withdraw from government if the ceasefire was approved.