JERUSALEM: Diplomatic efforts increased on Sunday to reach a long sought-after ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza, as Israel carried out further air strikes and shelling on the besieged Palestinian territory.
A new video of two hostages being held by Hamas fighters since the group’s October 7 attack prompted fresh outrage in Israel, where protesters have piled pressure on the government to reach a deal.
Global condemnation of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza has escalated, with world leaders and humanitarian organizations warning of dire consequences if Israel were to launch an invasion of the southern city of Rafah, potentially resulting in extensive civilian casualties.
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas made a direct appeal to the United States on Sunday, urging intervention to prevent the looming catastrophe in Rafah, which he described as “the biggest disaster in the history of the Palestinian people.”
Addressing a global economic summit in Saudi Arabia, Abbas emphasized that the US, as Israel’s principal ally and major arms supplier, held the capability to prevent what he termed as a “crime” by Israel.
Hamas announced on Saturday that it was reviewing a new counterproposal from Israel regarding a truce and the release of hostages. This came in the wake of reports indicating that an Egyptian delegation was in Israel to restart stalled negotiations.
Efforts to mediate a new truce have been ongoing, with Egypt, Qatar, and the United States playing key roles in the negotiations. The previous one-week cessation of hostilities in November saw the exchange of 80 Israeli hostages for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
At Least 34,454 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Since October 7
While Hamas has insisted on a permanent ceasefire, Israel’s latest proposal, as reported by Axios, signals a potential shift in stance, with willingness expressed to discuss the restoration of sustainable calm in Gaza following the release of hostages.
The truce talks and the humanitarian situation in Gaza are set to be discussed at the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Riyadh, where US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and officials from other countries involved in ceasefire negotiations are slated to attend. Although Israel’s participation is absent, other key stakeholders will engage in discussions aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis.
Despite international appeals for restraint, Israel continued its military operations in Gaza, conducting airstrikes and shelling overnight. Reports indicate that several houses in the southern city of Khan Younis were targeted, along with strikes on Gaza City and Rafah. The escalating violence has forced a significant portion of Gaza’s population to seek refuge in Rafah, with many residing in makeshift shelters after fleeing violence elsewhere in the territory.
Since October 7, Israel has killed at least 34,454 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the besieged territory. According to the Gaza health ministry, at least 66 deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, adding to the already staggering toll of civilian casualties. Israel estimates that 129 hostages remain in Gaza, including 34 persons the military believes to be dead.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a stark warning, stating that famine thresholds in Gaza could be breached within the next six weeks if urgent food aid does not reach the territory.
