Palestinians react after Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 6, 2024. REUTERS/Doaa Al Baz
Efforts towards a ceasefire in Gaza appeared uncertain on Monday as Israel downplayed the likelihood of an agreement following Hamas’s announcement of acceptance of a proposal from mediators. Meanwhile, residents of Rafah evacuated amid fears of an impending Israeli assault.
The prospect of a ceasefire emerged amidst Israeli strikes on Rafah in Gaza’s southern region and directives for residents to vacate certain areas of the city, which has become a refuge for over a million displaced Gazans. Hamas communicated through a brief statement that its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, had conveyed acceptance of a ceasefire proposal to Qatari and Egyptian mediators.
The Israeli military stated its openness to consider proposals facilitating the release of hostages held in Gaza, while affirming the continuation of its ongoing operations for the time being. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, characterized the accepted proposal by Hamas as a diluted version of an Egyptian offer, including elements deemed unacceptable by Israel. This assessment was refuted by another official familiar with the peace negotiations, also speaking anonymously, asserting that the proposal accepted by Hamas mirrored one previously agreed upon by Israel at the end of April.
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller indicated intentions to discuss Hamas’s response with allies in the ensuing hours, expressing confidence in the achievability of a ceasefire deal. The White House emphasized the desire to secure the release of hostages, implement a six-week ceasefire, and enhance humanitarian aid, deeming an agreement as the optimal outcome.
The possibility of a ceasefire marks the first potential pause in hostilities since a week-long ceasefire in November. However, subsequent attempts to establish a new truce faltered due to Hamas’s insistence on the release of additional hostages contingent upon a permanent resolution to the conflict, in contrast to Israel’s preference for a temporary cessation.
Taher Al-Nono, a Hamas official, outlined that the proposal addressed the group’s demands, including Gaza’s reconstruction, the repatriation of displaced Palestinians, and a prisoner exchange involving Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody. Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’s deputy chief in Gaza, delineated a three-phase plan, each spanning six weeks, with Israel withdrawing its troops from Gaza in the second phase.
Earlier on Monday, Israel instructed the evacuation of segments of Rafah, a city serving as a sanctuary for approximately half of Gaza’s population. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, addressing media inquiries regarding the impact of Hamas’s ceasefire acceptance on planned military action in Rafah, affirmed a thorough consideration of all responses while maintaining ongoing operations in Gaza.
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, urged restraint, emphasizing the necessity of a comprehensive civilian protection plan before any assault on Rafah. Israel clarified its limited operations in the eastern part of Rafah in response to a Hamas rocket attack that claimed the lives of four Israeli soldiers at the main border crossing into Rafah the previous day.
Continued Israeli bombardment in eastern Rafah prompted civilian evacuations amid heightened apprehension. Overnight airstrikes targeted residential structures, resulting in casualties, with the Israeli military attributing the strikes to the location from which the previous day’s rocket originated.
Notified through various communication channels, Palestinians began relocating to a designated “expanded humanitarian zone” approximately 20 km away, employing various modes of transportation amid adverse weather conditions. The recurring displacement of families, amidst the ongoing conflict, underscored the uncertainty and challenges faced by civilians in Gaza.
A British surgeon, attempting to leave Gaza, reported explosions and gunfire near the Rafah crossing into Egypt, reflecting the volatile atmosphere and urgency among evacuating residents.
Overall, the situation in Gaza remained tense and uncertain, with efforts towards a ceasefire contingent upon navigating complex negotiations and addressing humanitarian concerns amidst escalating hostilities.
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