GAZA CITY: Hopes rose Monday for a long-sought truce and hostage release deal between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas after almost seven months of relentless Israeli bombardment in Gaza killing over 34,488 Palestinians, mostly women and children, AFP reported.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was “hopeful” Hamas would accept the offer, which his British counterpart David Cameron said could see the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
Negotiators from Hamas were due in Egypt, a mediator in the truce efforts along with the United States and Qatar. For months they have been trying to broker a new agreement between the combatants, the first since a one-week truce in November saw 80 Israeli hostages exchanged for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
The proposed truce, described as “extraordinarily generous” by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, aims to halt the relentless violence and pave the way for a sustained ceasefire. Blinken said that the proposal before Hamas is “extraordinarily, extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel.” He urged the group to “decide quickly”, saying: “I am hopeful that they will make the right decision.”
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron told the same gathering that the Palestinian group has been offered a “sustained 40 days’ ceasefire, the release of potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners, in return for the release of these hostages.”
Negotiators from Hamas convened in Cairo, where talks focused on reaching a comprehensive agreement to end the hostilities that have devastated Gaza and brought the region to the brink of famine. Talks “are taking place in Cairo today”, said Al-Qahera News, which is linked to Egyptian intelligence services.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry underscored the importance of considering the positions of both sides in crafting the proposal, expressing optimism for a positive outcome. However, he acknowledged that a final decision was pending, urging all parties to rise to the occasion and prioritize the well-being of the affected populations.
While discussions continue, concerns persist over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, with the territory’s health ministry reporting a staggering death toll and widespread destruction. Despite efforts to broker a ceasefire, southern Gaza’s Rafah city bore the brunt of air strikes overnight, resulting in several Palestinian casualties and further exacerbating the plight of the civilian population.
Meanwhile, Hamas remains steadfast in its pursuit of a deal that ensures a permanent ceasefire, the return of displaced Palestinians, and an end to the Israeli siege in Gaza. A senior Hamas official said Sunday the group had no “major issues” with the latest truce plan.
A Hamas source close to the talks has told AFP the Palestinian group is keen for a deal that “guarantees a permanent ceasefire, the free return of displaced people, an acceptable deal for (a prisoner-hostage) exchange and an end to the siege” in Gaza. According to the Hamas source, the latest plan proposes an Israeli withdrawal from two main roads to allow Gazans to return to the heavily impacted north.
Negotiators stress the importance of clear plans for reconstruction and emphasize the need for Israeli leaders to engage in discussions aimed at restoring sustainable calm in the region.
The war has brought Gaza to the brink of famine, United Nations and humanitarian aid groups say, while reducing much of the territory to rubble and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
Since October 7, Israel has killed at least 34,488 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the territory. The tally includes at least 34 deaths in the past 24 hours, the ministry said. That is down from a peak this month of at least 153 deaths on April 9.
Southern Gaza’s Rafah city was pounded by air strikes overnight, rescuers reported. The majority of Gaza’s 2.4 million people have sought refuge in Rafah near the border with Egypt. Medics and the Civil Defence Agency said at least 22 people were killed in the city.
