Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza.

He revealed that an Israeli attack had targeted a location where one of the captives to be freed in the initial phase of the recently announced ceasefire deal was being held.

“Any aggression and shelling at this stage by the enemy could turn the freedom of a captive into a tragedy,” Abu Obeida stated on Telegram. He referred to the dozens of Israeli captives held in Gaza since October 7, 2023, emphasizing the fragility of the current situation.

Without providing specific details, Abu Obeida confirmed that one of the women captives scheduled for release in the ceasefire deal was in a location struck by Israeli forces.

The warning comes as Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The deal, which includes the exchange of captives, is set to halt the 15-month war in Gaza. The ceasefire is scheduled to take effect on Sunday, January 19.

According to Sheikh Mohammed, the agreement will unfold in three stages:

1-Initial Phase: Over six weeks, Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from central Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza. During this phase, Hamas will release 33 Israeli captives, prioritizing female soldiers, civilians, children, and the elderly.

2-Second Phase: Talks will commence by the 16th day of the first phase. Negotiations are expected to focus on the release of remaining captives and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

3-Third Phase: This stage will involve the return of bodies and the initiation of Gaza’s reconstruction efforts.

Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israeli forces have continued their deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported on Thursday that Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of at least 46,788 Palestinians since the start of the war, an increase of 81 casualties from the previous day. The number of wounded has also risen to over 110,453.

The situation remains tense as the ceasefire’s implementation approaches, with both sides navigating the complexities of the agreement amid ongoing violence and deep-seated tensions. (ILKHA)