Hamas Accepts Cease-Fire Proposal as Israel Considers Next Steps
In a significant development, Hamas has agreed to a cease-fire proposal put forth by Egypt and Qatar, while Israel is still reviewing the offer. The move comes after Israel ordered the evacuation of around 100,000 Palestinians from the southern Gaza town of Rafah amid fears of an impending invasion. However, Hamas’ acceptance of the proposal has provided hope that a large-scale conflict can be avoided.
President Joe Biden recently spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about U.S. concerns regarding a potential invasion of Rafah. Biden emphasized that a cease-fire was crucial in order to protect the lives of civilians in the region.
While details of the cease-fire proposal have not been made public, it is said to involve multiple stages, including a limited hostage release and partial Israeli troop pullbacks within Gaza. The international community has expressed alarm over the situation, with aid agencies warning of further civilian casualties and devastation in the already embattled territory.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned Israel’s evacuation order, calling it “inhumane,” and criticized the idea of relocating people to Muwasi, an area lacking essential services and resources. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 34,700 Palestinians, including a significant number of children and women.
The conflict was sparked by a raid into southern Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, which led to the killing of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 hostages. The situation remains fluid as both sides consider their next steps in the effort to reach a lasting and peaceful resolution.
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