Smoke rises after Israeli forces carry out air strikes on the Tel al-Hawa and Sabra neighbourhoods, as Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7, 2023, continue; (File photo: Anadolu)
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, Israeli forces continue bombing Khan Younis and Gaza early Friday morning, reported Anadolu Agency.
Several artillery shells hit the Al-Katiba area in the center of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip, with drones spotted flying over the city, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.
The eastern part of Gaza City was also subjected to artillery shelling and gunfire from helicopters.
The Israeli government approved an agreement to end the war in Gaza and exchange prisoners with Palestinian factions in a statement issued early Friday by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.
A ceasefire became effective immediately after Israel's approval, according to Israeli media.
On Sept. 29, Trump unveiled a 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza that includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the entire Gaza Strip.
A second phase of the plan calls for the establishment of a new governing mechanism in Gaza without the Palestinian group Hamas’ participation, the formation of a security force comprising Palestinians and troops from Arab and Islamic countries, and the disarmament of Hamas. It also stipulates Arab and Islamic funding for the new administration and the reconstruction of the strip, with limited participation from the Palestinian Authority.
Arab and Muslim countries have, by and large, welcomed the plan, but some officials have also said that many details in it need discussion and negotiations to be fully implemented.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 67,200 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children, and rendered it uninhabitable.