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Israeli Reportedly Killed 80 In Gaza Few Hours After Ceasefire Deal

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The health ministry in Gaza says dozens of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes ahead of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel has accused Hamas of backtracking on the agreement, with a planned cabinet vote on the deal pushed back.

Hamas says it is committed to a deal, but the BBC’s Rushdi Abualouf hears the group is attempting a last-minute push for the release of one or two symbolic prisoners from its movement.

One attack on a house near the Engineers Union Building in Gaza City in the north of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night killed at least 18 people, Al Jazeera Arabic’s correspondent reported.

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The Palestinian Civil Defence also said it retrieved the bodies of 12 people from Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood.

In central Gaza, five people were killed in an Israeli drone strike that targeted a gathering of people in the Karaj area in the Bureij camp.

The death toll, which was counted from dawn on Wednesday, continued to rise as Palestinians returned to shelter in their tents after briefly celebrating news of a ceasefire deal that was reached between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday evening.

“For a couple of hours, people turned this whole area into a stage of celebration, something we are not used to seeing here as this area used to be a stage for funerals for the victims of the war and a space filled with agony and sadness,” said Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.

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But the ceasefire does not start until Sunday and people in Gaza fear worse is to come before the Israeli bombing stops, Mahmoud said.

“We are expecting a surge in attacks by drones and heavy artillery, and that’s what caused people to end the celebrations after two hours,” he said.

Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif, reporting from Gaza City, said intense Israeli attacks there had “extinguished” the joy people felt at the initial announcement of the ceasefire.

“Just hours ago there was an atmosphere of joy and relief among residents here when the ceasefire announcement was made from Doha, stating that it would take effect in the coming days,” al-Sharif said.

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“However, immediately after the announcement, Israeli warplanes extinguished that joy for the people – striking hospitals, shelters, and homes with direct air strikes.”

Both Israel and Hamas have publicly acknowledged a ceasefire and captive exchange deal has been reached, although Israel has said some final details are still to be hashed out before the agreement is sealed.

In a statement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with Israel’s negotiating team in Doha at dawn on Thursday, who briefed him on disagreements with Hamas related to which Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for captives during the first phase of the deal.

As of January 1, 2025, there are at least 10, 221 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, excluding the unknown numbers of Palestinians taken from Gaza and detained by the military, including Dr Hussam Abu Safia, the director of north Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, which was destroyed by Israeli forces.

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Izzat al-Risheq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, earlier said the ceasefire deal met all of the Palestinian group’s conditions including the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced people to their homes, and a permanent end to war in the enclave.

The exact time the ceasefire is due to start on Sunday is not yet known, though the entire process will be implemented in three phases.

Recall that Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 back to Gaza as hostages

The attack triggered a massive Israeli offensive on Gaza, during which more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

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Donald Trump’s inauguration moved indoors

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President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural address on 20 January will take place indoors due to dangerously cold weather being forecast next week in Washington, he has confirmed.

The address, as well as other speeches, will now take place inside the US Capitol’s rotunda, rather than outside the building.

The inaugural parade will also be held indoors at Washington’s Capitol One Arena, along with all three inaugural balls.

The last president to be sworn-in indoors was Ronald Reagan in 1985, when cold weather also plagued the US Capitol.

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How my 34-Yr-Old graduate son took his own life after NYSC Service Year – Mother

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A 34-Year-Old Graduate who recently participated in the Passing-out-Parade of the National Youth Service Corps, Bryant Michael Ogah, in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State has reportedly killed himself in a hotel in the area after taking a harmful substance suspected to be snipper.

It was gathered that Bryant, who recently concluded his NYSC program, was suspected to be having some mental challenges before his death and had battled the health issue for almost 12 years.

Speaking Punch on the matter, the mother of the deceased who simply identified herself as Mrs Ogah, lamented that her son took his own life despite several efforts by the family to make him feel comfortable amid his health challenges.

She explained that Bryant being the first son and first child of the family had always wished to contribute to the family’s upkeep and growth, but his unstable mental health issues were a major challenge for him to achieve his dreams and aspirations.

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Mrs Ogah further told our correspondent that “his (Bryant’s) sudden decision to commit suicide was because he was tired of his health condition, and also because he could not support the members of his family due to his health condition.”

She added, “It was the mental health issue that affected him. He took poison and killed himself. He was tired of the situation. He could not help himself. He could not help anybody. So he felt there was no need to continue living.

“But as a family, we kept encouraging him to be strong. We told him that despite his health issues, he should stay with us because we are not complaining about his challenges. We also told him that even though he does not take care of us, seeing him alive gives us joy.”

Narrating further on how Bryant took his life, his mother said, “On December 23, 2024, her late son approached the family that he would be going to visit his friend who is resident in another community in the LGA.”

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She added, “We allowed him to go, not knowing that it was an excuse to enable him to execute his negative plans which ended his life.”

According to her, who was very emotional and in tears while speaking with the publication, pointed out that “he (the late Bryant) went to lodge in a hotel in the Television area of Kaduna South, where he drank a chemical which led to his untimely death.

“Due to the shame and embarrassment that his health condition caused him, it became a pain to him. He wanted to turn the family’s story around for good. But he later took his life as a result of the challenges that he was facing.

“On December 23rd, he woke up, took his bath, ate his breakfast, and after some time, he said he was going out to see his friend to rest, that he just needed a change of environment.

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“Instead of going to his friend’s place, he went to a hotel around a place called the Television Area in Kaduna South. He paid for a room and lodged into the hotel.

“After 24 hours that he was supposed to vacate the room, the hotel workers did not see him come out, so they went to knock on the door, but he was not responding.

“They forcefully opened the door and met him on the floor, even though he was still breathing.

“They immediately rushed him to the hospital where he died within a short time of when he was admitted into the hospital,” she added.

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When he was first contacted to speak on the issue, the Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, said he could not readily confirm the incident and implored the publication to call back, saying, “I will get back to you.”

However, when contacted a second time, DSP Mansir Hassan confirmed the sad incident, saying, “the command is investigating the matter.”

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Southwest Caucus Mourns The Loss Of Rt. Hon. Onanuga

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Southwest Caucus of the House of Representatives has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Deputy Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, describing her as an exceptional leader and a true Omoluabi.

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In a statement jointly signed by the  Chairman of Southwest Caucus, Rep. James Faleke and Secretary, Southwest Caucus, Rep. Taofeek Ajilesoro, it stated that Onanuga was a source of pride to the legislature and a beacon of integrity and leadership.

Rt. Hon. Onnuga, represented Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State,

It reads in part: “Her colleagues remembered her as a person of honor and humility, whose dedication to service and discipline earned her respect within and beyond the House.

“She was the embodiment of an Omoluabi—humble, principled, and a firm believer in doing what is right,” they said. As Deputy Chief Whip, she ensured order and decorum in the House, displaying intellect and poise that inspired admiration from all”.

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The Caucus highlighted her significant contributions to the legislative progress of the Southwest region, particularly her leadership in advocating for the establishment of the Southwest Development Commission.

They noted her strategic efforts in ensuring the region’s voice was effectively represented in the House’s leadership.

During her tenure as Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development in the 9th Assembly, Onanuga championed policies aimed at empowering women and advancing social welfare.

“Her track record of service extended to the sub-national level, where she left an indelible mark before transitioning to national leadership”, it added..

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Reflecting on her loss, Rep. Faleke said:
“As a colleague and friend, I will forever cherish the moments we shared on the floor and in caucus meetings. Her camaraderie, wise counsel, and infectious smile left an indelible mark on everyone she encountered. Her passion for good governance and commitment to her constituents were second to none. Her passing has left a void that will be difficult to fill.”

The Southwest Caucus extended their condolences to her family, the government and people of Ogun State, and the entire National Assembly. They described her passing as an irreplaceable loss but celebrated her legacy of service, leadership, and dedication.

“May her soul rest in perfect peace”, he said.

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