Tel Aviv, January 16 (RHC)-- A long-awaited ceasefire deal in Gaza is being delayed after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for a “last minute crisis” that’s led to the postponement of his Cabinet signing off on the deal. 

Hamas has flatly refuted Netanyahu’s claims the group had backtracked on any aspects of the draft agreement.

The deal, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S., was announced Wednesday, setting off celebrations throughout Gaza as Palestinians expressed joy, relief and deep sorrow over the past 15 months of attacks. 

Since the ceasefire deal was announced, Reuters reports Israel has killed at least 70 more Palestinians in Gaza, including an overnight strike on Gaza City.

Mahmoud Abu Wardeh: “Overnight, they hit a house, where 35 martyrs were killed.  We urge the mediators who brokered this truce to hurry up making it come into effect.  For it to be today is better than making it tomorrow.  For it to be at 7 is better than making it at 8, because there are martyrs every hour.  We lose homes every hour.”

At least 20 people were killed in an Israeli attack on Jabaliya earlier today. Many others remain trapped under the rubble. There are also reports that more health workers have been killed since the ceasefire was announced, including Dr. Hala Akram Abu Ahmed, who treated patients at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital. 

Israel’s war on Gaza, which U.N. experts, legal analysts and many rights groups have concluded is a genocide, has killed at least 46,788 Palestinians since October 7, 2023, according to official counts.  Another 110,000 Palestinians have been wounded. The true toll is expected to be far higher.

[ SOURCE: DEMOCRACY NOW and NEWS AGENCIES ]