Israel Demands Hamas Accept US Truce Proposal Amid Escalating Conflict
International pressure mounts on Israel as humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza amidst ongoing military operations.
Israel is currently facing increasing international pressure regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis impacting the region.
For over two months, a blockade has severely restricted access to food, medications, and other essential goods for the population in the Palestinian territory, with slight easing measures implemented last week.
The Israeli military has intensified its operations with stated objectives to regain full control of Palestinian territories and to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas.
In a statement on Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that the military campaign would continue "with full force" while prioritizing the evacuation of local civilians from combat zones.
He issued a warning to Hamas: "The murderers of Hamas must now choose: accept the terms of the 'Witkoff Agreement' for the release of hostages, or be annihilated," referencing the ceasefire proposal put forth by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Former US President Donald Trump stated that "they are very close to an agreement on Gaza." Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned that the entire population of the Gaza Strip is at risk of famine, with spokesperson Jens Laerke from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) describing it as "the most famished place in the world," and highlighting that 100% of the population is threatened by hunger.
On the same day, gunmen reportedly stormed warehouses at a field hospital in Deir el-Balah, stealing large amounts of medical supplies, medications, and nutritional supplements intended for malnourished children, as announced by UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Negotiations for a ceasefire to end the conflict, which escalated following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, have yet to yield results after the resurgence of hostilities in mid-March.
On Thursday, the White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, indicated that a new US ceasefire proposal had been approved by Israel, which has not formally responded to this development.
Shortly after, Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official in exile, criticized the proposal, stating that it does not meet the movement's demands, as it essentially perpetuates occupation and ongoing violence leading to famine.
Hamas has indicated that it is holding consultations with Palestinian forces and factions regarding the proposal conveyed by Witkoff through mediators.
In response to Hamas's statements, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has consistently opposed compromise since the start of the conflict, urged the government to use "all necessary force" to eliminate Hamas.
On the ground, Gaza's Civil Defense reported that 45 individuals were killed on Friday due to Israeli strikes throughout the territory.
Following the October 7 attack, Israeli casualties stood at 1,218, mostly civilians, based on figures compiled by official agencies.
Of the 251 individuals taken hostage by Hamas during that attack, 57 are still believed to be held in Gaza, with at least 34 confirmed dead.
Israeli military operations have resulted in over 54,321 Palestinian deaths, primarily civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry for Gaza, which has been deemed credible by the United Nations.
In tandem with military actions in Gaza, Israel has accelerated the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, ignoring calls from French President Emmanuel Macron, other global leaders, and the United Nations for a two-state solution.
Katz further challenged Macron and the United Nations on Friday by asserting that a Palestinian state in the West Bank is not an option.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced that its foreign minister will visit Ramallah on Sunday, marking the first such visit at that level to the Palestinian territories since 1967.
For over two months, a blockade has severely restricted access to food, medications, and other essential goods for the population in the Palestinian territory, with slight easing measures implemented last week.
The Israeli military has intensified its operations with stated objectives to regain full control of Palestinian territories and to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas.
In a statement on Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that the military campaign would continue "with full force" while prioritizing the evacuation of local civilians from combat zones.
He issued a warning to Hamas: "The murderers of Hamas must now choose: accept the terms of the 'Witkoff Agreement' for the release of hostages, or be annihilated," referencing the ceasefire proposal put forth by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Former US President Donald Trump stated that "they are very close to an agreement on Gaza." Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned that the entire population of the Gaza Strip is at risk of famine, with spokesperson Jens Laerke from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) describing it as "the most famished place in the world," and highlighting that 100% of the population is threatened by hunger.
On the same day, gunmen reportedly stormed warehouses at a field hospital in Deir el-Balah, stealing large amounts of medical supplies, medications, and nutritional supplements intended for malnourished children, as announced by UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Negotiations for a ceasefire to end the conflict, which escalated following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, have yet to yield results after the resurgence of hostilities in mid-March.
On Thursday, the White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, indicated that a new US ceasefire proposal had been approved by Israel, which has not formally responded to this development.
Shortly after, Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official in exile, criticized the proposal, stating that it does not meet the movement's demands, as it essentially perpetuates occupation and ongoing violence leading to famine.
Hamas has indicated that it is holding consultations with Palestinian forces and factions regarding the proposal conveyed by Witkoff through mediators.
In response to Hamas's statements, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has consistently opposed compromise since the start of the conflict, urged the government to use "all necessary force" to eliminate Hamas.
On the ground, Gaza's Civil Defense reported that 45 individuals were killed on Friday due to Israeli strikes throughout the territory.
Following the October 7 attack, Israeli casualties stood at 1,218, mostly civilians, based on figures compiled by official agencies.
Of the 251 individuals taken hostage by Hamas during that attack, 57 are still believed to be held in Gaza, with at least 34 confirmed dead.
Israeli military operations have resulted in over 54,321 Palestinian deaths, primarily civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry for Gaza, which has been deemed credible by the United Nations.
In tandem with military actions in Gaza, Israel has accelerated the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, ignoring calls from French President Emmanuel Macron, other global leaders, and the United Nations for a two-state solution.
Katz further challenged Macron and the United Nations on Friday by asserting that a Palestinian state in the West Bank is not an option.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced that its foreign minister will visit Ramallah on Sunday, marking the first such visit at that level to the Palestinian territories since 1967.
