Hamas accepts cease-fire proposal for Gaza amid escalating tensions
Amidst rising tensions and Hamas’s acceptance of a cease-fire proposal for Gaza, brokered by Qatar and Egypt, Israel continues its military operation in Rafah, further complicating the prospects for peace in the region
Palestinian resistance group’s leader Ismail Haniyeh has announced the group’s acceptance of a cease-fire proposal for Gaza, mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
What does the cease-fire plan consist of?
The cease-fire plan consists of three phases, with mediators assuring Hamas of the commitment of the United States’ president to ensure its implementation.
The proposal presented to Hamas last week entails an initial 40-day cease-fire period, during which Israeli forces would halt combat operations and withdraw from populated areas.
Concurrently, Hamas would initiate the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. However, Hamas’s insistence on a permanent end to the conflict is met with rejection from Israel.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has voiced his approval of Hamas’s decision to accept the cease-fire proposal, expressing hope for Israel’s reciprocal acceptance.
Following a cabinet meeting, Erdogan urged Western nations to increase pressure on Israel’s leadership to embrace the agreement.
Netanyahu says proposal falls short of his demands
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that while the proposal agreed upon by Hamas falls short of Israel’s demands, the government will dispatch a delegation for negotiations.
Netanyahu, on Sunday, attributed the stalemate in negotiations to Hamas, citing their adherence to “extreme positions.” He emphasized Israel’s willingness to engage in talks and accused Hamas of hindering the release of Israeli hostages.
Additionally, Israel’s war cabinet has decided to continue its operation in Rafah, with the military conducting strikes on targets within the city, with the aim of “achieving the release of Israeli captives and reaching the goals of the war.”
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses reported that Israeli warplanes and artillery heavily bombed the eastern part of Rafah, and military vehicle movements were observed in areas near the border.
Earlier, thousands of residents evacuated eastern Rafah in response to Israeli orders amid mounting fears of a full-scale military assault on the city, home to over one million displaced individuals.
Hamas ready to defend Rafah
Hamas warned that any Israeli offensive in southern Gaza’s Rafah would not be taken lightly and asserted its readiness to defend Palestinians.
The Israeli military confirmed ongoing targeted strikes on Hamas targets in the eastern part of Rafah.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed hope for the Israeli government’s commitment to halting the conflict in Gaza and withdrawing from the enclave, as reported by the Palestinian state news agency Wafa.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has expressed his close monitoring of the positive developments in negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive truce in Gaza. He urged all parties to intensify efforts to end the humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinians and facilitate the exchange of captives and prisoners.
Source: Newsroom
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