Rescuers and medics search for dead bodies inside the damaged Al Shifa Hospital after Israeli forces withdrew from the hospital and the area around it following a two-week operation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City April 8, 2024. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/ File Photo
Hamas stated on Tuesday that an Israeli ceasefire proposal regarding their conflict in Gaza failed to meet the demands of Palestinian militant factions. The proposal was conveyed to Hamas by Egyptian and Qatari mediators during discussions in Cairo, which aimed to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian enclave, now in its seventh month.
In parallel, Israeli forces intensified bombardments on Deir Al-Balah and Rafah in the central and southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, areas not previously invaded, as reported by medics and residents. An airstrike in central Gaza resulted in the death of a municipal chief in Al-Maghazi refugee camp, according to Hamas, while Israel asserted that he held a military position.
The ongoing talks in Cairo, attended by William Burns, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), have thus far failed to achieve a breakthrough towards halting the conflict. Hamas acknowledged receipt of the new Israeli proposal, criticizing its failure to address the demands of the Palestinian people and resistance groups. However, Hamas announced its intention to further examine the proposal and provide a response through the mediators.
Earlier reports from Hamas officials, as conveyed to Reuters on Monday, indicated the group’s rejection of the Israeli ceasefire proposal, with no significant progress reported in the negotiations. Hamas’s key demands include cessation of the Israeli military offensive, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the repatriation of displaced individuals across the enclave.
On the other hand, Israel seeks the release of hostages captured by Hamas during the cross-border raid on October 7, which sparked the conflict. Additionally, Israel aims to neutralize Hamas as a threat. Although Israel expressed willingness to engage in a prisoner exchange, it remains committed to the military offensive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for an invasion of Rafah, identified as the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza. Rafah serves as a refuge for displaced Palestinian civilians, facing dire living conditions amidst Israeli bombardments. International concerns have been raised regarding the potential humanitarian consequences of a military assault on Rafah.
Of the 253 individuals seized by Hamas on October 7, 133 hostages remain in captivity. Negotiations have discussed the release of approximately 40 individuals as part of an initial agreement. Hamas’s October 7 attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals in southern Israel, according to Israeli reports.
Gaza’s health ministry reported that 33,207 Palestinians have been killed during six months of conflict, with a significant portion of the population displaced and at risk of famine. Hamas has not disclosed the number of casualties among its fighters.
Meanwhile, on the military front, Israeli airstrikes targeted civilian structures in Al-Maghazi camp, resulting in casualties, according to Hamas. The Israeli military stated that the airstrikes targeted individuals involved in rocket launches against Israel. Hamas condemned the killing of civilians and disputed the military characterization of the individuals targeted.
In Rafah, a missile strike reportedly conducted by an Israeli drone resulted in casualties, as reported by Hamas media.
COMMENTS