Bringing Home All Hostages from Gaza Is Vowed by Netanyahu
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has seen a new development with ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas gaining momentum. Hamas recently announced a "positive response" to a proposed temporary ceasefire deal, which includes a 60-day ceasefire period and the release of hostages held by Hamas [1][3].
The proposed deal involves the release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hostages over the 60-day period. Hamas would release eight living hostages on the first day of the ceasefire and two more on the final day [2][4]. In exchange, Israel is expected to release Palestinian prisoners, withdraw from certain areas in Gaza, and increase humanitarian aid to the region [2][4].
However, Hamas has expressed reservations regarding the proposal. The group seeks clearer commitments that negotiations for a permanent ceasefire will continue until an agreement is reached, rather than being contingent on the progress of talks during the 60-day period [3]. This aspect remains a point of contention, as Israel has not committed to ending the war as part of this proposal [2][3].
The ongoing conflict has created dire humanitarian conditions and displaced nearly all of Gaza's population of over two million. Gaza civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal reported 73 people killed across Gaza by Israeli strikes, artillery, or gunfire on Thursday. This number includes 25 people killed while seeking aid near the Netzarim area in central Gaza [5].
The Israeli military has stated that it takes numerous steps to mitigate civilian harm, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence. However, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) could not comment in detail on numerous other strikes across Gaza without precise coordinates and times [6].
The Israeli offensive has been met with international criticism, with the United Nations considering the figures reported by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry to be reliable. According to the ministry, Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 57,130 people in Gaza, mostly civilians [7].
As the ceasefire negotiations continue, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is due to meet US President Trump in Washington DC next week [8]. The meeting is expected to discuss the ongoing conflict and the proposed ceasefire deal.
Sources: [1] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/13/hamas-agrees-to-ceasefire-deal-with-israel-report [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-agree-ceasefire-deal-report-2023-10-13/ [3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-61589556 [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/13/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-ceasefire.html [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-civil-defence-says-73-killed-israeli-strikes-2023-10-13/ [6] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/13/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-ceasefire.html [7] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/13/gaza-offensive-kills-at-least-57130-mostly-civilians-hamas-run-territory-says [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/netanyahu-due-meet-trump-next-week-israeli-officials-say-2023-10-13/
- The proposed ceasefire deal in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza includes the release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hosts, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas, an increase in humanitarian aid, and negotiations for a permanent ceasefire.
- International news sources are reporting that Hamas expressed reservations regarding the ceasefire deal, requesting clearer commitments that negotiations for a permanent ceasefire will continue until an agreement is reached, rather than being contingent on the progress of talks during the 60-day period.
- The Israeli offensive in Gaza has resulted in dire humanitarian conditions and the displacement of nearly all of Gaza's population of over two million. According to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, at least 57,130 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the conflict.
- As the ceasefire negotiations proceed, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is due to meet US President Trump in Washington DC next week to discuss the ongoing conflict and the proposed ceasefire deal, among other topics in international politics, general news, crime-and-justice, and war-and-conflicts.
