► Progress towards a ceasefire agreement in Gaza
According to the daily Asharq Al-Awsata source within Hamas assured Wednesday December 18 that a ceasefire agreement in Gaza was expected by the end of this week, unless new complications arise.
The source stated that “ most of the issues have been resolved and agreement is close” and that only a few details remained under discussion.
The agreement provides for a ceasefire in the first phase and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from city centers, but not from Gaza. Women and children would be allowed to return to northern Gaza, with men returning later, in stages, according to an agreed process.
During this first phase, which will last 45 to 60 days, Hamas will release approximately 30 Israeli hostages, including live detainees and bodies, in exchange for a yet-to-be-determined number of Palestinian prisoners, many of whom are serving prison sentences. perpetuity.
► 12 Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes
The Gaza Strip’s civil defense agency reported at least 12 Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes, amid talks for a truce in the war that has devastated the Palestinian territory for more than 14 months.
Ten people were killed at dawn when an Israeli strike hit the Al-Daour family house in Beit Lahia (north) where displaced people had taken refuge, said the civil defense spokesperson.
A child was killed and several people injured in another strike that targeted a house in Jabalia, also in the north of the territory, where Israeli forces have concentrated their operations in recent weeks. Another Palestinian died when his tent was hit overnight in the Al-Mawassi area of the southern Khan Yunis region.
According to the latest report from the Hamas government’s health ministry, 45,097 deaths have been recorded in this Palestinian territory since the start of the war with Israel more than 14 months ago.
► Complaint from Palestinians in the United States against the State Department
Five Palestinian families filed a complaint Tuesday evening against the State Department over Washington’s military aid to Israel, based on a U.S. law that prohibits arming foreign security forces accused of violating human rights. the man.
The complaint, to which the State Department must respond within 60 days, calls for the law to be applied to Israel, which the plaintiffs and human rights groups say has been illegally exempted from it.
Since the start of the war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas in October 2023, the United States has enacted laws authorizing it to provide the equivalent of $12.5 billion in military aid to its strategic ally.
