Monday, 20 January 2025. This day marks the 472nd day of the Iron Swords War, which Israel is waging against terrorist organisations in Gaza, Judea, Samaria, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. This war began on 7 October 2023, and its course is shaping the modern history of the Middle East. This was reported by Time Ukraine Israel, citing Newsru.co.il.
Truce in Gaza: calm after the fighting
On 19 January, a long-awaited ceasefire began in Gaza. As of the morning of 20 January, there were no reports of fighting in the Strip. The ceasefire agreement is being implemented, although Israeli forces continue to control southern Lebanon and the “buffer zone” in Syria.
Tragedy in Samaria
The IDF reported a casualty: during an operation in Samaria, Senior Reserve Sergeant Yevyatar Ben-Yehuda, a 31-year-old soldier of the 8211st Battalion of the Efraim Brigade, was killed. In the same incident, the battalion commander was seriously wounded. According to preliminary information, their military vehicle hit a mine near the village of Tamuni, south of Tubas.
Chronology of events
00:00.
90 Arab prisoners, including women and young people under 21, are released from Israeli prisons. 78 of them returned to their homes in the West Bank, 12 to Arab neighbourhoods in Jerusalem.
04:00.
The Palestinian Authority celebrated the release of prisoners. In the village of Sebastia (near Shechem), sources reported the death of a 15-year-old Palestinian Arab as a result of Israeli military actions.
05:00.
A military vehicle exploded south of Tubas. The victims were taken to hospitals.
10:00.
Lebanese sources report IDF activity in the area of Ad Dahir in southern Lebanon.
The confrontation continues
Despite the ceasefire in Gaza, tensions remain. Solidarity marches with Hamas are taking place in the Palestinian Authority, and Palestinian social media are full of videos of detentions. At the same time, the IDF continues to maintain defence in regions with high activity of terrorist groups.
The ceasefire agreement in Gaza was a breath of hope for the civilian population, but tensions in the region remain. The loss of an Israeli soldier and the celebration of the release of terrorists underscore the complexity of the situation. The war continues, leaving open the question of how long the fragile ceasefire will last.
