Hamas acknowledges Gaza truce proposal positively, affirms a Palestinian official.
In a significant development, Hamas has responded positively to a temporary ceasefire deal proposal, which includes a hostage exchange. The proposal, aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, involves the release of 10 living hostages from Hamas captivity and the return of 15 bodies of hostages being held by Hamas.
The conflict in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people and resulted in hundreds taken hostage, has claimed the lives of more than 57,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to local health officials. The latest Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 138 Palestinians in Gaza over the past 24 hours, as reported by local health officials.
Hamas is prepared to enter into negotiations regarding the implementation mechanism of the proposal. They are seeking guarantees from Israel to progress to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement after the initial 60-day phase.
The current negotiations follow a previous deal that ended more than three months ago. Israel had been awaiting a response from Hamas on the latest proposal by Friday. Banners displayed a post by Trump on his Truth Social platform, reading "MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!"
One of the many families affected by the conflict is that of Adlar Mouamar, who lost her nephew, Ashraf, in Gaza. Another victim is Mayar Al Farr, a 13-year-old girl who lost her brother, Mahmoud, who was shot dead in another incident while trying to get aid.
The Israeli military claims to have eliminated militants, confiscated weapons, and dismantled Hamas outposts in the last 24 hours, while striking 100 targets across Gaza. However, an airstrike carried out by the Israeli military on a tent encampment west of Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killed 15 Palestinians displaced by nearly two years of war.
The Israeli retaliatory war against Hamas has devastated Gaza, displacing most of its population of over 2 million and triggering widespread hunger. Israel's ongoing offensive has also killed more than 50 people, according to the civil defense agency in Gaza.
As the negotiations progress, demonstrators continue to gather outside US Embassy buildings, calling on President Trump to secure a deal for all hostages held in Gaza. Gideon Rosenberg, 48, from Tel Aviv, called for a "beautiful hostage deal" and was wearing a shirt with the image of hostage Avinatan Or. Ruby Chen, the father of Itay Chen, urged Netanyahu to return from his meeting with Trump with a deal that brings back all hostages.
Itay Chen, a 19-year-old American-Israeli, is believed to have been killed after being taken captive. He was also a German national and was serving as an Israeli soldier when he was taken captive.
As the world watches, let's hope for a peaceful resolution to this prolonged conflict and the safe return of all hostages.
[1] Source: Reuters, The Times of Israel, Al Jazeera
- The ceasefire proposal for Gaza, which includes hostage exchanges, is aimed at ending a conflict that began in October 2023 and has claimed the lives of more than 57,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials.
- The negotiations concerning the implementation of the ceasefire deal follow a previous agreement that ended over three months ago, with Israel awaiting a response from Hamas on the latest proposal by Friday.
- Demonstrations continue outside US Embassy buildings, with protesters urging President Trump to secure a deal for all hostages held in Gaza, as the world watches for a peaceful resolution to this prolonged conflict.
- In the latest Israeli attacks, at least 138 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed over the past 24 hours, while the Israeli military has claimed to have eliminated militants, confiscated weapons, and dismantled Hamas outposts.
- One of the hostages believed to have been killed is Itay Chen, a 19-year-old American-Israeli and German national, who was serving as an Israeli soldier when he was taken captive.
