Israel insists on the liberation of all captives following Hamas' endorsement of a fresh ceasefire proposal
In the midst of an ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, indirect negotiations have been held intermittently, yet a lasting ceasefire remains elusive. The latest mediation initiative, proposed by Qatar and Egypt, is currently under consideration, but it remains to be seen if it will bring an end to the two-year conflict.
The new proposal, which is "almost identical" to an earlier version agreed to by Israel, includes an initial 60-day truce, a partial hostage release, the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners, and provisions allowing for the entry of aid. However, the Israeli government's stance has not changed, with a senior official stating that the demand for the release of all hostages remains non-negotiable.
The situation is particularly dire in Gaza, where civilians are bearing the brunt of the conflict. On Tuesday, Israeli strikes and fire claimed the lives of 48 people across the region, according to the civil defense agency. The humanitarian crisis has been worsened by the destruction of infrastructure, leaving many without access to basic necessities. Gazan residents, such as Shawg Al-Badri, have had to endure hardships to survive, with Al-Badri stating it took "three to four hours" to carry flour, which she called "white gold," back to her family's tent.
Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has yet to publicly comment on the new mediation initiative. However, last week, he made it clear that his country would accept "an agreement in which all the hostages are released at once and according to our conditions for ending the war." It is unclear whether the proposed deal meets these conditions.
The Israeli military has been actively operating to dismantle Hamas's military capabilities and has taken "feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm." The Israeli military later reported a strike in Khan Yunis overnight, targeting a Hamas militant.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza City is described as "very dangerous and unbearable" by Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defense agency. The Israeli security cabinet has approved plans to conquer Gaza City, despite fears it will exacerbate the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
As the conflict continues, calls for peace are growing louder. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv to call for an end to the war and a deal to free the hostages still held captive.
Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, has accused Israeli reactions of reflecting Netanyahu's intentions to continue the war, genocide, and ethnic cleansing. It is hoped that the new mediation initiative will provide a path towards peace and the release of the hostages, but only time will tell.
Mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, are awaiting an official response from Israel regarding the new plan. The fate of the ongoing conflict hangs in the balance, with hopes pinned on the success of the mediation initiative.
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