Hamas to review new Gaza ceasefire proposal
Hamas announced on Tuesday its intention to review a fresh ceasefire proposal in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Gaza. This development follows an Israeli commando operation in the occupied West Bank, where three Palestinian militants were killed in a raid at a hospital, underscoring the potential expansion of hostilities beyond Gaza.
Meanwhile, clashes in northern Gaza prompted further displacement of Palestinian residents, and Israeli airstrikes hit southern regions of the coastal enclave.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh revealed that the group had received a ceasefire proposal following discussions in Paris. He expressed his commitment to assessing the plan's details and stated his intention to visit Cairo for further talks. Haniyeh emphasized that the primary goal for Hamas is to end the Israeli offensive and secure a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Although no specifics of the ceasefire proposal were disclosed, it emerged after talks in Paris involving key figures such as CIA Director William Burns, Qatar's prime minister, the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, and the chief of Egyptian intelligence.
While violence had been escalating in the West Bank even before the Gaza conflict erupted in October, the hospital raid may exacerbate the situation. Surveillance footage appeared to show Israeli troops, including individuals disguised as medical staff, inside the Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin. The incident resulted in casualties, with Hamas and Islamic Jihad identifying the deceased as their members. The hospital sources clarified that one of the victims had been receiving treatment for a paralyzing injury, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
The Israeli military asserted that one of the individuals killed had been planning an attack inspired by a previous Hamas incident. The conflict's toll on both sides has been substantial, with thousands of Palestinians and hundreds of Israeli soldiers reported killed. The war has taken a devastating humanitarian toll, causing widespread destruction and pushing Gaza to the brink of famine, as reported by the World Health Organization.
In the midst of these developments, Israel initiated further military action in northern Gaza, suggesting challenges in eradicating Hamas from the region. As the conflict persists, Hamas appears to be regrouping in Gaza City, and the international community expresses growing concern for civilian welfare. The situation remains dynamic, with actions and clashes occurring across various parts of Gaza and southern Israel
