The United States has intensified its efforts to broker a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to a multi-stage plan proposed by President Joe Biden. Despite the ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which have claimed more lives in Rafah and a refugee camp, bringing the total death toll to 36,439 since the war began on October 7, the US remains hopeful that a ceasefire can be achieved.The proposed ceasefire plan includes a six-week period during which some prisoners, specifically the elderly, sick, and women, would be released. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed reservations, stating that Israel will continue to fight until Hamas’s military and government capabilities are destroyed, and all prisoners are released. The US National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, has stated that if Hamas accepts the proposal, Israel is expected to do the same.The recent bombings have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with the International Committee of the Red Cross receiving desperate calls for help from civilians. Humanitarian aid convoys have begun entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing, providing much-needed medical supplies and necessities. The Israeli military’s bombing of the Ahli Hospital in Gaza has resulted in hundreds of casualties, highlighting the dire situation on the ground.As mediators from the US, Qatar, and Egypt continue to push for an agreement, the world watches anxiously, hoping for an end to the bloodshed and a stable resolution to the conflict.
Key points
- The US is urging Hamas and Israel to accept a ceasefire plan that includes a six-week period for the release of some prisoners.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu insists on continuing the war until Hamas is defeated, despite international calls for a ceasefire.
- The total number of deaths in the Gaza conflict has risen to 36,439, with recent bombings in Rafah and a refugee camp.
Contradictions👾While the US is pushing for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu remains committed to continuing the war until Hamas is eliminated.
