Israel struck Gaza only hours after reaching a ceasefire deal with Hamas

Israel escalated attacks on Gaza shortly after a ceasefire and hostage release agreement was announced, according to residents and officials in the Palestinian territory, as mediators worked to prevent violence before the truce's commencement on Sunday.

A complex ceasefire agreement between Israel and the militant group Hamas, which governs Gaza, was reached on Wednesday after months of mediation involving Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. This cessation of hostilities follows 15 months of violence that has devastated the coastal territory and heightened tensions throughout the Middle East.

The agreement includes a six-week ceasefire. During this time, Israeli forces will leave the Gaza Strip, where many people have died. In exchange for freeing hostages taken by Hamas, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners it has detained. At a news conference in Doha, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday. Negotiators are working with Israel and Hamas on steps to implement the agreement, he said.

South Africa has welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas.

“The ceasefire agreement is a crucial first step towards ending the severe humanitarian crisis faced by the 2.3-million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has deemed to be plausibly genocidal,” said minister of international relations and co-operation Ronald Lamola's spokesperson Chrispin Phiri.

“Palestinian sovereignty and territorial integrity must be upheld. It is imperative that no land is annexed in either Gaza or the West Bank following the ceasefire, and that illegal settlement expansion is halted,” Phiri said.