Hamas Accepts Egyptian-Qatari Cease-Fire Proposal
In a surprising turn of events, the Hamas militant group has announced that it has accepted an Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal to end the seven-month war with Israel. The announcement came after Hamas’ supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, delivered the news in a phone call with Qatar’s prime minister and Egypt’s intelligence minister. Egypt and Qatar have been mediating talks between Israel and Hamas for several months.
Details of the proposal have not been released yet, but recent statements from Egyptian and Hamas officials suggest that the cease-fire will occur in stages. Hamas is expected to release hostages it is holding, while Israel will gradually withdraw its troops from Gaza. However, it remains unclear whether the deal will meet Hamas’ demand for a complete end to the war and an Israeli withdrawal.
Israel Orders Palestinians to Evacuate Rafah
Meanwhile, Israel has ordered approximately 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate the southern Gaza town of Rafah, signaling a possible ground invasion. Israel has described Rafah as Hamas’ last stronghold and believes that invading the city is necessary to defeat the militant group. However, this move has raised alarm globally, with Israel’s closest allies warning against it.
The United Nations agency serving Palestinian refugees has stated that it will not comply with the evacuation order, raising concerns about the well-being of the displaced Palestinians. The agency argues that the area designated for evacuation, called Muwasi, lacks vital services and cannot accommodate such a large number of people.
The Israeli army claims that this operation is only a limited scope operation and has not confirmed whether it is part of a broader invasion. Smoke was seen rising from Rafah, but the cause remains unknown. Tensions heightened when Hamas fired rockets at Israeli troops near the border with Gaza, killing four soldiers. Israel responded with airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of 22 people, including children.
Humanitarian Crisis Looms in Rafah
The evacuation order has caused panic among the Palestinians in Rafah, who are already displaced and living in dire conditions. More than half of Gaza’s population, around 1.4 million people, are crammed into the city and its surroundings. They rely on international aid for food and are facing a significant humanitarian crisis due to the devastation caused by the war.
Many Palestinians in Rafah fear for their safety but have limited options for relocation. They have received flyers detailing the evacuation and aid services available in other cities. However, some individuals are too tired and fed up with months of devastation to flee once again. The UN agency responsible for assisting Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank has refused to evacuate and warns of dire consequences if an offensive is launched in Rafah.
Pressure to End the War Mounts
Recently, there has been growing pressure to end the war, with the US, Egypt, and Qatar pushing for a cease-fire agreement. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel will move forward with the invasion regardless of a truce-for-hostages deal. Hamas demands a complete end to the war, Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and the reconstruction of the strip in exchange for releasing Israeli hostages.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the cease-fire proposal will bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution that will alleviate the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis caught in the crossfire.
