GAZA: Diplomatic efforts intensified on Sunday to reach a long-sought truce and hostage-release deal in Gaza, as Palestinian resistance group Hamas said it would travel to Egypt on Monday to deliver its response after Israel’s latest proposal, AFP reported.
The Israeli government has come under intense pressure from its global allies to reach a ceasefire, as well as from protesters within Israel demanding the release of hostages seized by Hamas’s fighters during their October 7 attack.
A senior official from Hamas confirmed that a delegation would travel to Egypt on Monday to deliver their response to Israel’s counterproposal regarding hostages and a potential truce. Mediating efforts involving Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have been underway since November, following a temporary cessation of hostilities that saw 80 Israeli hostages exchanged for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Israel’s latest proposal, which reportedly includes discussions on restoring sustainable calm in Gaza post-hostage release, signals a departure from previous stances.
Since October 7, Israel has killed at least 34,454 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, during the more than six months of relentless bombardment campaign, the health ministry in the besieged Palestinian territory stated. Gaza’s health ministry on Sunday reported at least 66 deaths in the past 24 hours, down from a peak this month of at least 153 deaths on April 9.
Israel estimates that 129 hostages seized on October 7 are still being held in Gaza, including 34 the military says are dead.
Hamas has previously insisted on a permanent ceasefire — a condition that Israel has rejected. Israel’s willingness to engage in dialogue towards ending the conflict marks a significant shift in the negotiation dynamics.
Sources close to the talks indicated that Hamas is receptive to the new proposal, emphasizing the importance of reaching an agreement that ensures a lasting ceasefire, the return of displaced Palestinians, a viable prisoner exchange, and an end to the blockade in Gaza.
Countries hoping to broker a ceasefire are among those attending the Special Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the international community has failed Gaza.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan underscored the urgency of addressing the crisis in Gaza. He described the situation in Gaza as a humanitarian catastrophe. “The situation in Gaza obviously is a catastrophe by every measure –- humanitarian, but also a complete failing of the existing political system to deal with that crisis,” Prince Faisal told the World Economic Forum (WEF) special meeting.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas reiterated calls for the US intervention to prevent a potential Israeli invasion of Rafah, warning of dire consequences for the Palestinian people. Israel’s announcement to attack Rafah has sparked global concern, particularly due to the presence of civilians seeking refuge in the area.
