Israel’s government has announced that it will send a delegation to mediators to discuss a Gaza truce proposal accepted by Hamas, despite calling it “far from Israel’s demands.” The decision was made after a war cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Hamas proposal, which includes a ceasefire and the release of hostages, was accepted by the Gaza-based group. However, Israel has expressed concerns about the terms of the agreement, stating that it includes “far-reaching” conclusions that Israel cannot accept. An Israeli official described the truce as a “ruse” intended to make Israel look like the side refusing a deal.
In response to the proposal, Israeli military strikes were carried out in eastern Rafah, targeting the terrorist organization Hamas. The strikes resulted in casualties, with at least five people reported dead in Rafah, according to a local hospital.
Meanwhile, Qatar has described Hamas’ response to the truce proposal as positive and announced that a Qatari delegation will head to Cairo to resume negotiations between Israel and Hamas through mediators. Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has been playing a mediation role in the talks.
In the midst of the escalating tensions, thousands of Israelis took to the streets to call for an immediate deal to release the hostages held in Gaza. Protests were held in various cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with demonstrators demanding action from the Israeli government.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely monitoring the developments. The United Nations Secretary-General has called on Israel and Hamas to “go the extra mile” to seal a truce and end the suffering in Gaza. Additionally, Iran’s Foreign Minister stated that Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has conveyed that the ball is now in Israel’s court following the acceptance of the ceasefire proposal.
The conflict in Gaza has also sparked global reactions, with calls for pressure on Israel to commit to the ceasefire proposal coming from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The situation remains tense as negotiations continue between the parties involved, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.