Gaza Ceasefire Agreement's Latest Developments
AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
Tensions continue between Israel and Hamas as they struggle to reach a ceasefire agreement. In response to President Trump's Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff's proposal, Israel acknowledges acceptance, deeming Hamas' response as "completely untenable." The conflict arises amid ongoing chaos surrounding efforts to deliver aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where widespread hunger and the impending threat of famine are a grim reality. This morning, Gaza health officials report at least 31 fatalities and over 200 injuries as Israeli troops opened fire on crowds attempting to collect food from a newly established U.S.-backed food distribution program. NPR's Daniel Estrin joins us from Tel Aviv. Good day, Daniel.
DANIEL ESTRIN: Good morning, Ayesha.
RASCOE: So, what transpired at these new food distribution sites in the Gaza Strip?
ESTRIN: According to Gaza health officials, Israeli military gunfire erupted near two distinct food distribution sites run by the newly formed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The group, backed by private American armed contractors and Israeli military oversight, failed to ensure the safety of the crowds seeking food aid. Scores were killed and many were critically wounded in the southern Gaza shooting incident. Disturbing videos circulating from Gaza display lifeless bodies stacked on donkey carts and throngs of people frantically carting them to hospitals. A second shooting in central Gaza resulted in more people fleeing in panic, their screams echoing in open fields.
RASCOE: What is Israel's response to this?
ESTRIN: The Israeli military and the U.S.-backed foundation have only offered vague answers, addressing only one reported incident, the one in the south. The Israeli military claims ignorance to any injuries caused by Israeli forces in the food distribution site. Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation denies the existence of any nearby gunfire.
While arguing about location, both parties do not address the actual claim of shootings taking place. The food sites, created to provide humanitarian aid, transform into dangerous battlefields as large crowds trek towards them, drawing gunfire and causing fatal consequences. Similar shootings occurred in the previous week, according to Gaza health officials, despite the U.S. State Department labeling the food program a success.
Our NPR colleague in Gaza, Anas Baba, speaks with Ramzi Abu Ghaben, a young man sheltering in a makeshift tent on the sidewalk. He shares his disillusionment: "These food sites are supposed to be humanitarian, but they're not." He pleads for the cessation of violence and the arrival of flour so that he can eat. The United Nations World Food Program jeopardizes their flour deliveries when their trucks were looted on Saturday, further exacerbating the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
RASCOE: What's the latest on the ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff presented his ceasefire proposal last week?
ESTRIN: After Israel signaled acceptance, Hamas finally responded on Saturday, accepting parts of the proposed 60-day ceasefire, agreeing to release approximately half of the living and deceased hostages seized during the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. However, Hamas made counterproposals for issues still under contention, requesting guarantees that Israel will not repeat the moves made during the previous ceasefire, such as freeing hostages before negotiations on a permanent peace agreement. Hamas also voiced concerns about the humanitarian aid distribution system implemented by the U.S. and Israel and demanded a more efficient and less biased system.
RASCOE: What are Hamas' objections to the proposal?
ESTRIN: Hamas seeks guarantees regarding hostage releases, wishing to spread the releases over the duration of the ceasefire to assure Israel's compliance, in contrast to the previous ceasefire when Israel released hostages at the beginning only to halt negotiations thereafter. Additionally, Hamas wants humanitarian aid delivered more seamlessly, without relying on the new distribution system initiated by the U.S. and Israel, which has proven chaotic and dangerous.
- The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has expanded beyond military action, with politics and policy-and-legislation now playing significant roles, as evidenced by the controversy surrounding the US-backed food distribution program and the discussions about conflict resolution involving policy proposals.
- The war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, are not only military issues but also have a profound impact on general news, as the distribution of humanitarian aid, such as food, becomes a matter of life and death for many civilians, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current policies and the need for improved political solutions.
