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SvennoJ on 19 January 2025
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Israeli forces launch attacks on central and south Gaza

Our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic are reporting that the Israeli military carried out four raids on the northern and western areas of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian media also reported an Israeli air raid on a warehouse in the central city of Deir el-Balah as well as the southern town of Abasan near the city of Khan Younis.

There was no immediate word on casualties.

The attacks with just hours to go before the Israel-Hamas ceasefire is set to take effect.


‘The skies above me are very quiet’

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud shared a video on Instagram, describing mixed emotions ahead of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

“It’s the first time in 470 days the skies above me are very, very quiet,” he said. “We know the scars of the war are still fresh, and the challenges on the ground are quite massive,” he added. “Rebuilding as well as absorbing what happened is massive, but keeping fingers and toes crossed, always for the best.”


Mixed feelings in Gaza as ceasefire set to take effect

It’s the first time in 15 months that the skies above me right here in the central area and across the Gaza Strip are relatively quiet, but we know the scars of the war are still fresh, and the challenges to recovery are quite immense.

The feelings here are quite mixed. People are showing a sense of excitement and happiness.

We are minutes away from the ceasefire taking effect. However, we know people will not be able to go back to their homes until seven days from the time it takes effect, meaning they will have to stay where they are.

Movement is quite restricted and limited as per the instructions the Israeli military put out, along with a map that has been circulating for the past 24 hours, warning people not to get close to where soldiers are deployed, including the Netzarim junction and the Philadelphi Corridor.

People are looking forward to returning to their homes in the northern part of Gaza City. They are also looking forward to mourning their loved ones properly, especially those who were killed and whom they were unable to reach in the past few months.

There is agony as well, as many sole survivors don’t have any of their family members left to celebrate with them at this particular moment.

Throughout the night, the Israeli drones kept buzzing, causing psychological trauma and disconnecting them from the feeling that there is a ceasefire that is going to happen.

The Israeli military also carried out strikes in Khan Younis, targeting many areas as well as in the north.


Israeli military restricts movements in Gaza

The military has issued a statement, renewing its warnings to Gaza residents, warning them not to approach its forces until further notice.

Here’s what the statement says:

  • We warn residents against approaching the Netzarim axis in light of the forces’ current operations.
  • You must not approach the area of ​​ the Rafah crossing, the Philadelphi Corridor, and all areas where the army is deployed.
  • Fishing or swimming is prohibited along the coast of the Gaza Strip, and you must not enter the sea in the coming days.
  • It is forbidden to approach Israeli territory and the buffer zone or move from the south to the north through the Gaza valley to avoid exposing yourself to danger.