Gaza ceasefire to take effect later this evening after contradictory reports
The Israeli media, Army Radio and channels across the Israeli media landscape had announced that at midday local time, the ceasefire took effect, just like the Egyptian media did.
Then, there was a clarification disseminated by the office of the Israeli prime minister, saying that this ceasefire would only take effect once the government convenes and approves the deal. So, later on, in the evening of this very emotional, very charged day.
So, no ceasefire, according to the Israeli prime minister’s office, yet. But that is not stopping the celebrations.
Gaza’s ambulance authorities issue safety guidelines for displaced Palestinians
Gaza’s Higher National Committee for Ambulance and Emergency has warned displaced Palestinians in Gaza against rushing to return home. Here’s their advisory statement following the ceasefire announcement:
- Do not rush to return until you are fully certain of the issuance of instructions from the official authorities, the withdrawal of the Israeli forces, and the safety of the roads and paths.
- Avoid gatherings and crowding during the return, and strictly adhere to the directives of the competent official authorities.
- Ambulances will be deployed along the return route to provide medical and humanitarian services, starting from the desalination plant north of al-Qarara town in southern Gaza and ending at the Nabulsi roundabout on al-Rashid Street, southwest of Gaza City.
Israeli attacks continue despite ceasefire progress
Israel has attacked a number of locations in the past few hours, and we got reports from the Israeli military confirming that its forces would not carry out offensive operations but will only withdraw once the ceasefire takes effect.
For Palestinians, the cessation of the fighting and Israeli air raids will give a real chance and window for relief, but for now, people are still waiting to see the ceasefire take effect and to witness a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Israeli forces have been conducting preparations in order to withdraw once the Israeli government approves the ceasefire from their side.
For now, we can see that Israeli forces are still stationed in the urban centres. They have not yet been able to withdraw, given the progress of the ceasefire deal.
