Israel issues warning of total destruction towards Hamas, While Trump claims imminent Gaza truce is at hand.
In the midst of escalating conditions on the ground, the United Nations issued a grim warning that Gaza's entire population is at risk of falling into a state of famine. The latest development came as Israeli Defense Minister Katz demanded that Hamas accept a ceasefire proposal presented by US envoy Steve Witkoff or face imminent destruction.
Katz's threat was issued after Hamas expressed dissatisfaction with the terms of the deal, claiming it failed to meet their requirements. "The Hamas terrorists now have no choice but to accept the terms of the 'Witkoff Plan' for the hostages' release or face annihilation," the defense minister declared.
Israel has consistently maintained that the eradication of Hamas is a principal objective of the ongoing conflict. Negotiations aimed at ending nearly two years of war in Gaza have so far failed to yield any substantial breakthrough, with Israel resuming operations in March following a brief truce.
In the United States, President Trump hinted at progress towards an agreement on Gaza, stating, "We're almost at an agreement on Gaza. We'll inform you about it later today or possibly tomorrow."
Food shortages continue to plague Gaza, with meager aid trickling in after Israel partially lifted a more than two-month blockade. Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian agency, referred to Gaza as "the hungriest place on Earth."
"It's the only defined area—a country or defined territory within a country—where you have the entire population at risk of famine," Laerke stated.
Later, the UN condemned the looting of medical equipment and supplies intended for malnourished children from one of its Gaza warehouses by armed individuals. The deteriorating situation has caused growing desperation among Gazans, exacerbating security concerns, aid groups have warned.
Meanwhile, tensions have escalated further amidst Israel's continued expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank. This week, Israel announced the creation of 22 new settlements in Palestinian territory, which it has controlled since 1967.
France and several other world leaders have called for a two-state solution, but Israel has doubled down on its settlement expansion while defying these calls. The move was condemned as a "deliberate obstacle" to a Palestinian state by London, and Egypt described it as "a provocative and blatant new violation of international law and Palestinian rights."
The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which includes Egypt, also denounced Israel's decision. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Katz vowed to create a "Jewish Israeli state" in the West Bank. Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory are deemed illegal under international law and are widely viewed as a major impediment to lasting peace in the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Emmanuel Macron, the French President, has not publicly commented on the emerging crisis in Gaza, but he, along with several other world leaders, has called for a two-state solution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The international community is deeply concerned about the health and well-being of Gaza's population, with the United Nations humanitarian agency referring to Gaza as "the hungriest place on Earth," and the entire population at risk of famine.
- The Israeli Defense Minister, Katz, has threatened Hamas that they must accept the terms of the Witkoff Plan or face annihilation, as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues, with war-and-conflicts being a major part of the general news coverage.
- The United States, under President Trump, appears to be making progress towards an agreement on Gaza, with Trump stating "We're almost at an agreement on Gaza. We'll inform you about it later today or possibly tomorrow." However, the situation remains volatile, with ongoing war-and-conflicts, political tensions, and global concerns about the health and safety of the people of Gaza.
