New Delhi: Hamas has said that it has given its response to the proposed draft of a fresh ceasefire in Gaza prepared by Israel, America, Qatar and Egypt.
According to reports, it was said that this draft of the ceasefire talks about a six-week ceasefire with the condition that Israeli hostages and people will be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Both Israel and America have responded to this matter and said that they are reviewing Hamas’s response.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described Hamas’ response as overall ‘positive’.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that on Wednesday he will discuss the response received from Hamas with Israeli officials. Blinken is currently touring the Middle East.
US President Joe Biden, reacting to Hamas’s proposal, has described Hamas’s demand as ‘far greater than expected’. According to Biden, “The Israeli leadership will not easily agree to the demands made by Hamas.”
Israel Gaza War - What has Hamas demanded?
A senior Official told the BBC that his group had shown a ‘positive attitude’ in response to the draft.
He said that Hamas has demanded some amendments regarding the reconstruction of Gaza. This includes the return of residents to their homes and making arrangements for those who have been displaced. His organization has also talked about changes in the draft regarding the treatment of people injured in the war, their return to their homes and their treatment in hospitals outside the country.
This draft was sent to Hamas about a week ago. A Hamas representative told Reuters news agency that it took until Tuesday to respond because some parts of the draft were not “clear.”
The conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas crossed the border and launched an unprecedented attack in the southern part of Israel. More than 1200 people died in this. Hamas fighters took about 250 people as hostages. In response, Israel started targeting Hamas positions in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 27 thousand 500 people have been killed in the Israeli attack.
Israel Gaza War - Israel's stance and Netanyahu's challenge:
There is a Hamas administration in Gaza Strip. Israel and Egypt have blockaded it since 2007. Many countries have declared Hamas as a ‘terrorist organization’.
The ceasefire was in force for one week in November 2023. Then 105 people, including Israeli citizens and foreign hostages, were released. In return, 240 Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails were released.
Earlier this week, Israeli defense officials had claimed that their forces were ‘moving forward’ in the search for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. On the other hand, domestic pressure on Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to free the remaining hostages is continuously increasing. Used to be.
Israel Gaza War - Why is America insisting?
There is growing concern that this crisis may engulf the entire region and US Secretary of State Blinken has reached Tel Aviv to find a solution. The purpose of his visit is to achieve progress regarding the deal.
America is continuously trying to ensure that this tension does not spread further in the region. These efforts have intensified after the death of three American soldiers in a drone attack in Jordan last week. After Jordan’s drone attack, America carried out airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq. America warned that there would be more attacks in the future. The US views the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza as the most realistic way to reduce tensions in the area.
Israel confirmed to Mangalaw that 31 of the 136 hostages remaining in Gaza had been killed. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that their families have been informed. He said that the administration is trying to return the remaining hostages.
