Hamas demands a truce and withdrawal as Gaza's death toll rises and tensions mount
In response to the ceasefire proposal put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff, Hamas has presented several counterproposals. Meanwhile, at least 60 people have been killed and 284 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health.
In its response, Hamas insisted that any ceasefire must lead to a permanent truce, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the provision of unrestricted humanitarian access. These three conditions are non-negotiable for a final agreement. As part of the deal, Hamas has proposed releasing ten surviving hostages and returning eighteen bodies in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
This puts the pressure on Israel, which broke the previous ceasefire earlier this year. However, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that he would only agree to a temporary ceasefire to secure the release of hostages, after which military operations would resume.
Rising death toll
The death toll in Gaza has now reached 54,381, as Israel continues its large-scale offensive in response to the Hamas terror attacks of 7 October 2023. Following a ceasefire lasting less than two months, Israel resumed operations with the stated aim of destroying Hamas and freeing the remaining hostages.
Amid a worsening famine in Gaza due to severely restricted aid access, international criticism of Israel is mounting, with accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide being levelled at the country.
Joint statement
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Turkey condemned Israel's decision to block their planned visit to the West Bank, during which they had intended to meet Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israel has refused to facilitate this visit, effectively barring access to the territory it occupies.
The ministers accused Israel of failing in its duties as an occupying power and of showing contempt for international law. Furthermore, Israel has announced plans to construct 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. These settlements are considered illegal under international law and are seen as an obstacle to any future peace process.
© Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP
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