Israeli strikes kill 13 in Gaza as US readies peace board announcement

Israeli airstrikes across Gaza killed at least 13 people, including at least one child, said local health officials and family members, as efforts continue to maintain a fragile ceasefire and the United States prepares to announce a new Board of Peace to oversee the process.

The strikes targeted northern Gaza and areas east of Gaza City on January 9. Israel’s military said the attacks focused on Hamas infrastructure and fighters in response to a failed projectile launched by militants from the Gaza City area, AP reports.

The ceasefire, which entered a phased implementation after an October agreement ended more than two years of fighting, remains in its early stages. Efforts are ongoing to recover the remains of the final hostage held in Gaza, highlighting the continuing humanitarian and security challenges in the region.

US officials said that next week, President Donald Trump is expected to formally announce the Board of Peace, which he has indicated he will personally head. The announcement marks a significant step in Trump’s broader Mideast peace plan, which has progressed slowly since the ceasefire. Two US officials spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement.

On January 8, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov would serve as the “designated” director-general for the board. Mladenov, a former Bulgarian defence and foreign minister, previously served as the UN envoy to Iraq and as the UN Mideast peace envoy from 2015 to 2020. Netanyahu noted that during his tenure, Mladenov maintained strong working relations with Israel and frequently helped ease tensions between Israel and Hamas.

The announcement of the board and the ongoing strikes underscore the delicate balance between maintaining the ceasefire and addressing ongoing security threats. The establishment of the Board of Peace is seen as a crucial diplomatic mechanism to stabilize the region and prevent further escalation.

By Vafa Guliyeva