Live: At least 137 people killed by Israel recovered from rubble in Rafah

Israeli forces killed at least 46,913 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and wounded 110,750 since 7 October 2023, the Palestinian health ministry said on Sunday.

Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, reaffirmed on Sunday that the Israeli government is determined to achieve its goals, including the release of captives and the dismantling of Hamas' governmental and military capabilities.

Saar warned that allowing Hamas to remain in power in the Gaza Strip would perpetuate regional instability.

"If Hamas stays in power, the instability it causes will likely continue," Saar said during a press conference.
 

Thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to their homes on Sunday after the long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect.

Carrying tents, clothes and personal belongings, many families made their way through the war-ravaged regions of Rafah, Khan Younis, Jabalia and other areas of the Gaza Strip.

People travelled by truck, donkey cart and on foot - particularly through the most heavily destroyed zones.

لقطات توثق عودة الفلسطينيين إلى شمال قطاع غزة مع بدء سريان اتفاق وقف إطلاق النار#الجزيرة_مباشر #فلسطين #غزة pic.twitter.com/Fzx7Vcftd1

— الجزيرة مباشر (@ajmubasher) January 19, 2025

More than 500 aid trucks are set to enter Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal, delivering much-needed humanitarian assistance, according to Israeli media.

Israel had imposed a tight siege on Gaza during its more than 14 months of war, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement stipulates that 600 trucks should enter Gaza daily.

Qatar confirmed on Sunday morning that the ceasefire has officially begun in Gaza.

As one of the main mediators of the ceasefire, Qatar's announcement comes after concerns Israel would delay the start of the proposed ceasefire. Doha is also expected to pass on the names of the captives, scheduled to be released by Hamas and other Palestinian groups, to Israel.

The Palestinian Civil Defence said Israeli strikes during a brief ceasefire delay on Sunday killed at least 19 Palestinians and wounded 36 more.

Good morning, Middle East Eye readers,

The ceasefire in Gaza has officially come into effect, ending more than 14 months of Israel's war on the Palestinian enclave, which has killed over 46,000 people.

Israel postponed the start of the ceasefire from 8.30am local time (6.30am GMT), citing a delay by Hamas in delivering the list of Israeli captives to be released today.

Israeli air strikes after 8.30am killed at least 10 Palestinians, according to local media. 

Hamas' military wing later named the three captives to be released: Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31.

Israel confirmed receiving the list and announced the start of the ceasefire at 11.15 am. 

Meanwhile, thousands of displaced Palestinians have begun to return to their homes across the Gaza Strip. 

Good evening Middle East Eye readers, 

With just hours to go until a ceasefire agreement is set to commence in Gaza, here's a summary of some the main recent developments:

• An Israeli man was seriously wounded in a stabbing attack in central Tel Aviv on Saturday afternoon, after which the attacker was shot dead by a nearby armed civilian

• Members of far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power party announced they will submit letters of resignation from the government on Sunday morning in protest against the Gaza ceasefire deal

• The Israeli military's Arabic language spokesperson has threatened that if Palestinians in Gaza approach Israeli troops following the ceasefire, they will be exposed to "danger"

• Israel will continue its war on Gaza in "new, forceful ways" if the second stage of the ceasefire agreement proves to be "futile", Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned in a video address

• An Israeli military raid in the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, wounded four children

• Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's far-right finance minister, said that he was given assurances that the war would continue and Israel would launch a "gradual takeover of the entire Gaza Strip"

• More than 70 protesters, including one of the organisers, were arrested after police blocked parts of a pro-Palestine demonstration in London

A spokesperson for Yemen's Houthis has warned "hostile forces in the Red Sea" to avoid "any aggression" against Yemen during the ceasefire in Gaza.

A ceasefire agreement in Gaza is set to come into force on Sunday morning, after 15 months of Israeli bombardment has killed over 46,000 Palestinians.

An Israeli delegation landed in the Egyptian capital on Saturday to monitor the implementation of the deal, Israel's Kan public broadcaster reported. 

Despite strong opposition from elements of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition, Israel's cabinet approved the deal in a vote on Friday. 

According to the full text of the truce agreement, the first phase - which will last six weeks - will involve the exchange of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners and a return to "sustainable calm".

Thirty-three Israeli captives held in Gaza will be released as part of the first phase, the first of whom are expected to be released on Sunday. 

They will be released in exchange for Palestinians serving life sentences at a ratio of 1:3 and Palestinians serving other sentences at a ratio of 1:27, according to the agreement. 

On Friday, Israel's justice ministry published an extensive list of hundreds of Palestinians set to be freed as part of the prisoner exchange deal. 

Read more: Gaza ceasefire set to come into force on Sunday morning

More than 70 protesters were arrested during a large pro-Palestine demonstration in London on Saturday, including one of the organisers of the protest. 

Thousands of people gathered in Whitehall in central London calling for an end to the war in Gaza and an end to the UK's arming of Israel. 

Protesters were blocked by police from marching from Whitehall to Trafalgar's Square, with several people arrested for "breaching conditions" for the protest. 

Amongst those arrested was Chris Nineham, a member of the Stop the War coalition and the chief steward of the national Palestine marches.

Stop the War said: "This is an outrageous assault on the Palestine movement. It is an unacceptable assault on civil liberties. Chris Nineham must be released without charge. We refuse to be intimidated."

Organisers had sought to march towards the BBC's headquarters in Portland Place, but were last week restricted from doing so by the police due to the building's proximity to a synagogue. 

"The Metropolitan Police's decision to block the Palestine march is an outrageous assault on democracy and freedom of expression," the Muslim Association of Britain said on Saturday.

"Silencing peaceful protesters standing against genocide in Gaza is shameful and unacceptable. This conduct has no place in our society."

Several people were arrested during a pro-Palestine march in central London on Saturday.

The Metropolitan Police attempted to impose a total restriction on the protest and block the demonstrators from marching pic.twitter.com/X8oTLuWX3t

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) January 18, 2025

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's far-right finance minister, has said that he was given assurances that the war on Gaza would continue and Israel would launch a "gradual takeover of the entire Gaza Strip". 

Smotrich and his far-right Religious Zionism party voted against the ceasefire deal, but remained in the government after Netanyahu reportedly agreed to a number of their demands. 

The far-right minister said that while his party could not prevent the deal, they were able "to ensure" through the cabinet and "other ways", that the war would not end without achieving Israel's full goals, foremost of which is "the complete destruction of Hamas in Gaza". 

He said that his faction had demanded and "received a commitment" that the method of war would be completely changed.

That included, said Smotrich, "through a gradual takeover of the entire Gaza Strip, the lifting of the restrictions imposed on us by the [US President Joe] Biden administration, and full control of the Strip, so that humanitarian aid will not reach Hamas as it has been until now."

Read more: Smotrich 'assured' Israel would continue war and take control of Gaza

An Israeli military raid in the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, wounded four children on Saturday evening, Wafa news agency reported. 

Local sources told Wafa that Israeli forces stormed the town, firing live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, and toxic gas towards Palestinian residents. 

Three children were struck by live gunfire in their lower limbs, while another child was wounded in his hand by shrapnel.

The children were transferred by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to hospitals in Hebron for treatment. 

Israel will continue its war on Gaza in "new, forceful ways" if the second stage of the ceasefire agreement is "futile", Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address on Saturday.

"If we must return to fighting we will do that in new, forceful ways," Netanyahu said. "President Trump and President Biden have given full backing to Israel's right to return to combat if Israel concludes that negotiations on Phase B are futile."

He said that Israel would not rest until "all of its war goals are completed", including the return of all Israeli captives held in Gaza. 

The Israeli military's Arabic language spokesperson has said that if Palestinians in Gaza approach Israeli troops following the ceasefire, they will be exposed to “danger”. 

“According to the agreement, [Israeli military] troops will remain deployed in specific areas in the Gaza Strip. Do not approach... troops in the area until further notice. Approaching the forces exposes you to danger,” Avichay Adraee wrote on X.

“Movement from the south to the north of the Gaza Strip or toward the Netzarim Corridor remains dangerous,” he said.

“Once such movement is permitted, a statement and instructions will be issued regarding safe methods of movement. Residents are warned against approaching [Israeli] troops in general and in the Netzarim Corridor area in particular.”

Displaced Palestinians are set to return to northern Gaza as part of the first phase, an area that Israel's military had decimated in a brutal military operation in recent weeks. 

On day seven of the ceasefire, unarmed displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return to northern Gaza via Rasheed Street. On day 22, others will be allowed to return via Salah al-Din Street. 

As for vehicles, they will be allowed to return north on day seven, subject to inspections performed by a private company determined by Israel in conjunction with international mediators. 

Adraee warned Palestinians against approaching the Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt border. Israeli troops will remain in that area during the first phase, before a gradual withdrawal starting from day 42.

“In the maritime area, along the entire Strip, there is a great risk of fishing, swimming and diving and we warn against entering the sea in the coming days,” he added.

“It is forbidden to approach Israeli territory and the buffer zone. Approaching the buffer zone is extremely dangerous,” Adraee said, referring to a 7oo metre perimeter area along the entire boundary with Israel where Israeli troops will remain stationed.

#عاجل ‼️ بيان عاجل إلى سكان قطاع غزة بخصوص دخول اتفاق وقف إطلاق النار حيز التنفيذ صباح غدًّا في تمام الساعة 08:30.

⭕️أود توضيح الأمور التالية لتفادي الاحتكاكات وسوء الفهم. نحن في جيش الدفاع ننوي التاكد من تطبيق كافة تفاصيل الاتفاق.

⭕️بناء على الاتفاق تبقى قوات جيش الدفاع… pic.twitter.com/iF9jDzbA4g

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) January 18, 2025