AFP
Efforts intensify for a truce in Gaza, Hamas will give its response on Monday
Diplomatic efforts for a truce in the fighting in Gaza combined with the release of hostages intensify on Sunday, as Israel continues its strikes on the besieged Palestinian territory threatened by famine. A senior Hamas official announced that a delegation of the movement will give its response on Monday in Cairo to a proposal for an Israeli truce associated with the release of hostages, almost seven months after the start of the war, triggered by the bloody attack of the Palestinian Islamist movement against Israel on the 7th October. On Saturday, Hamas announced that it was “studying” this counter-proposal, specifying that it “will submit its response once its study is completed.” Meanwhile, the war knows no respite in the small besieged territory where the Hamas took power in 2007. The Israeli army said on Sunday that it had struck “dozens of terrorist targets” in central Gaza. It also claims to be preparing a ground offensive in Rafah where a million and a half people are crowded together. Palestinians, mainly displaced people. Many capitals and humanitarian organizations fear a bloodbath in this city already regularly bombarded by the army. From Saudi Arabia, where a special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is being held from Sunday, the president of the The Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, called on the United States to prevent a ground invasion in Rafah. If it were to take place, this operation would be the “greatest disaster in the history of the Palestinian people”, he said. he declared. American Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also expected in Saudi Arabia, where he will discuss in particular “the ongoing efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza which allows the release of the hostages”, according to the department of State.In Beirut, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, will discuss on Sunday with Lebanese officials ways to avoid an extension of the conflict.Since the start of the war, exchanges of fire at the northern border of Israel are daily between the Israeli army and the Lebanese Islamist movement Hezbollah. – “An agreement now” – These diplomatic negotiations are taking place, while awaiting Hamas’ response to the Israeli counter-proposal. The details of this proposal has not been filtered but according to the Axios site, which cites Israeli officials, it includes the desire to discuss “the establishment of lasting calm” in Gaza. Meanwhile, internal pressure on the government of Benjamin Netanyahu continues to grow. On Saturday evening, thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv to demand the release of hostages kidnapped on October 7. That day, Hamas commandos carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel resulting in the deaths of 1,170 people, mainly civilians, according to an AFP report based on official Israeli data. More than 250 people have been kidnapped and 129 remain captive in Gaza, 34 of whom have died according to Israeli officials. In retaliation, Israel has sworn to annihilate Hamas, which it considers a terrorist organization, as well as the United States and the European Union. Its offensive in Gaza left 34,454 dead, mostly civilians, according to a new report from the Hamas Health Ministry on Sunday. “A deal, now!” protesters chanted Saturday evening, while calling on the Netanyahu government to resign. Shortly before, Hamas released a video showing two hostages, Keith Siegel, 64, and Omri Miran, 47. This is the second video released in a few days by Hamas. At the rally in Tel Aviv, Mr. Miran’s father urged Hamas to “show humanity”, also asking it to “make a decision now “. – Strikes and artillery fire – On the ground, there is no lull. Throughout Saturday, the Israeli navy targeted Hamas targets and provided support to troops deployed in the center of the territory, the army said on Sunday. According to an AFP correspondent, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes and artillery fire in several areas of the Gaza Strip, notably in Khan Younes and Rafah, two towns in the south of the territory, as well as in Gaza City (north). In total, 66 Palestinians died within 24 hours, according to Hamas. “We are tired after seven months of displacement and struggle in the camps. So we insisted on returning and staying in a tent on the rubble of our house,” in Khan Younes, a Abdelqader Mohammed Qwaider told AFPTV. In addition to the destruction and heavy human toll, the war has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian territory where 2.4 million people live. Strictly controlled by Israel, humanitarian aid is trickling in. On Saturday, a British ship left Cyprus to accommodate hundreds of members of the American army who are building an artificial pier in Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. In the process, Cyprus announced that a ship loaded with aid, which returned from Gaza at the beginning of April after an Israeli strike killed seven humanitarian workers, was heading back towards the Palestinian territory.The Israeli army indicated on Saturday that 25,000 trucks of humanitarian aid had entered Gaza since October 7. The UN Office of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) puts the figure at 23,000 trucks.bur-adm/ila
