Agreement on Ceasefire in Gaza Amidst Escalating Israeli Bombing and Humanitarian Crisis
January 18, 2025, 11:15 am

Agreement on Ceasefire in Gaza Amidst Escalating Israeli Bombing and Humanitarian Crisis

غزة - أرشيف

Despite the ongoing Israeli bombardment that Gaza has experienced since Saturday morning, signs of an agreement for a ceasefire are emerging before the truce is set to take effect.

Informed media sources reported that an agreement has been reached for a field quieting beginning this afternoon, aimed at allowing preparations for the release of Israeli prisoners. In turn, the Israeli army announced it is preparing to accept a ceasefire.

Earlier today, the pace of Israeli airstrikes intensified, targeting various areas across the Gaza Strip. Israeli warships also opened fire towards the shores of Gaza City and the Al-Nusairat camp in the center, in addition to regions in the northern part of the Strip. Sources reported that Israeli tanks remain positioned in residential areas in northern Gaza.

Inside Israel, explosions were heard in the sky above Jerusalem after warning sirens sounded in the city, with the Israeli army announcing a projectile was fired from Yemen.

The anticipated agreement is expected to include the release of 33 Israeli detainees in the first phase, which will last for 42 days, in exchange for Israel freeing 737 Palestinian prisoners from its jails, most of whom are women and children.

It is noteworthy that since the announcement of the agreement between Israel and Hamas last Wednesday evening, airstrikes on Gaza have not ceased, with many buildings, especially in the northern part of the Strip, reduced to piles of rubble. Civil defense confirmed that the number of fatalities due to Israeli bombing has exceeded 100 people as of Friday.

Over months of bitter conflict, more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of whom are women and children, in addition to nearly two million Palestinians being displaced multiple times over the past 15 months. This crisis is compounded by a shortage of medical and food aid due to restrictions imposed by Israel, leading to worsening humanitarian conditions and the spread of hunger, disease, and a lack of healthcare.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.