Israel Continues Strikes on Gaza Despite Ceasefire

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Israel Continues Strikes on Gaza Despite Ceasefire

Israeli forces launched a series of artillery and air strikes on the Gaza Strip on the morning of January 19, despite preliminary agreements to begin a ceasefire at 9:30 Moscow time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that responsibility for the breakdown of the truce lies with the Hamas movement, which failed to provide a list of the first hostages to be released under the agreement.

"We will not stop fighting until we receive a clear and complete list of hostages. Israel will not trust words, but will wait for concrete actions"" Netanyahu said.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the strikes hit sites in northern and central Gaza that the military said were used by militants to coordinate attacks and store weapons.

The two sides had previously agreed to a temporary ceasefire to coincide with the prisoner exchange. The agreement called for Hamas to release a group of women and children in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. However, Hamas's delay in handing over the list of the first hostages led to an escalation of the situation.

Hamas representatives claim technical difficulties in compiling and submitting the list and promise to fulfill their obligations within a few hours. However, Israel regards such explanations as an attempt to delay the process, which only increases mistrust between the parties.

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