Hamas said on Tuesday that it’s contemplating a brand new truce framework proposed throughout latest discussions in Cairo.
This comes as Palestinians returning to their houses in southern Gaza are confronted with the in depth destruction left behind after the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Six months into the deadliest Gaza battle, mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. have recommended one other short-term cease-fire, in keeping with a Hamas supply.
The proposed three-part plan goals to stop preventing for six weeks to facilitate an trade of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
While expressing appreciation for the mediators’ efforts, Hamas criticized Israel on Tuesday for not responding to any of its calls for through the talks.
“Despite this, the movement’s leadership is studying the submitted proposal,” the Palestinian group stated in an announcement.
After months of fierce assaults on Gaza, Israel introduced over the weekend that it had pulled its forces from the southern metropolis of Khan Younis to permit troops to recuperate in preparation for the following part of the battle, together with an incursion into Rafah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Monday {that a} date had now been set for sending floor forces into the territory’s southernmost metropolis, which hosts a lot of the displaced Palestinian inhabitants.
Foreign governments and humanitarian teams have persistently urged Israel to not perform an operation in Rafah for concern of mass civilian casualties.
But Netanyahu and his army commanders have insisted that victory over Hamas can’t be achieved in any other case.
“It will happen – there is a date,” Netanyahu stated in a video message that didn’t specify the timing.
In response, Israel’s principal backer, the U.S., repeated its objections to a Rafah operation, saying it will “ultimately hurt Israel’s security,” whereas Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant referred to as it “the right time for a truce,” at the same time as strikes continued to pummel Gaza.
Ruined place
As Palestinians ready for Wednesday’s Eid al-Fitr vacation, marking the top of the fasting month of Ramadan, these returning to Khan Yunis simply north of Rafah confronted mounds of rubble the place homes and outlets as soon as stood.
“I came to see my home, only to find it destroyed and reduced to a pile of rubble,” stated Umm Ahmad al-Fagawi after coming again to town. “I’m shocked by what I saw. Every home is destroyed, not only mine but also all the neighbors’ homes.”
Another returnee stated she returned to search out “a ruined place.”
“No water, no electricity, no columns, no walls and no doors, there’s nothing. Gaza is not Gaza anymore,” she stated.
The troops’ withdrawal comes as Israel faces super worldwide stress to pause its battle and permit extra humanitarian assist into the ravenous territory.
Since Oct. 7, Gazans have been disadvantaged of meals, water and different primary provides beneath Israeli siege.
The dire shortages have been solely minimally eased by assist deliveries, with humanitarian teams warning that the trickle of provides is not going to avert an imminent “man-made” famine.
On Monday, 419 assist vans had been permitted into the territory, probably the most in a single day for the reason that begin of the battle, in keeping with the Coordinator of the Government Activities within the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli Defense Ministry physique that manages the movement of assist.
Cease-fire negotiations
The battle started with Hamas’ Oct. 7 incursion on southern Israel, which resulted within the deaths of about 1,200 folks.
The Palestinian group additionally took greater than 250 Israeli and overseas hostages, 129 of whom stay in Gaza.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive in opposition to Hamas has killed at the very least 33,207 folks in Gaza, principally ladies and youngsters, in keeping with the Hamas-run territory’s Health Ministry.
The newest proposal to pause the preventing would see a six-week truce and Israeli ladies and baby hostages freed in trade for as much as 900 Palestinian prisoners, a supply in Hamas stated Monday.
The deal would additionally enable the return of displaced Palestinian civilians to the north of the Gaza Strip and 400 to 500 vans of meals assist a day, in keeping with the supply.
During earlier rounds of mediation, which resulted in impasse, Hamas demanded a complete cease-fire, full Israeli withdrawal and management over assist deliveries.
Despite months of negotiations and shuttle diplomacy, the one negotiated truce thus far was in November, when 78 hostages and lots of of Palestinian prisoners had been launched.
In sharpening rhetoric that recommended waning persistence with Netanyahu, U.S. President Joe Biden final week demanded the Israeli chief do extra to guard Gaza’s civilians and attain a cease-fire.
With the proposed deal now with Gaza’s rulers, U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that “it’s going to be up to Hamas to come through.”
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari instructed the BBC he was “more optimistic today than I was a couple of days ago” however added: “We are by no means at the last stretch of the talks.”
Six months into the battle, Israel has confronted a rising refrain of worldwide calls to halt the preventing.
Türkiye introduced the imposition of commerce restrictions on Israel beginning Tuesday on a variety of merchandise, together with cement and metal and iron development supplies, in response to Israel’s battle on Gaza, the commerce ministry stated.
“This decision will remain in place until Israel declares a ceasefire immediately and allows an adequate and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the ministry introduced on social media.
Source: www.dailysabah.com