In a significant development, Israel has reportedly “more or less accepted” a proposed ceasefire in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement by a US official on Saturday. The announcement comes as Palestinian negotiators are expected to arrive in Cairo for discussions. Mediators have been urgently working to secure a truce before the start of Ramadan, aiming to bring an end to the nearly five-month-long conflict that has inflicted severe damage on Hamas-ruled Gaza.
Despite the potential for peace talks, the dire humanitarian conditions in the besieged territory persist, with the health ministry reporting over a dozen child malnutrition deaths in recent days. The anonymous US official informed reporters that there is a “framework deal” for a ceasefire, which Israel has reportedly accepted to some extent. The official emphasized that the next move is now in the hands of Hamas.
While a Hamas delegation is said to be en route from Qatar to Egypt, Israel has yet to confirm its acceptance of the proposed truce. A source close to Hamas mentioned that the group would provide its “official answer” based on previous negotiations with Israeli representatives in Paris.
As the situation unfolds, Egypt’s AlQahera News has reported that negotiations for a Gaza truce are set to resume in Cairo on Sunday.
US Initiates Aid Airdrop Amidst Humanitarian Crisis
The United States has initiated a relief operation in war-ravaged Gaza, a day after President Joe Biden announced the move, acknowledging the urgent need to address the dire humanitarian crisis. A significant aspect of the relief effort involves airdropping aid into Gaza, a process that began in collaboration with Jordan. The US Central Command shared on social media that over 38,000 meals were dropped along the Gaza coastline to facilitate civilian access to critical aid.
Despite these efforts, the US official cautioned that airdropped aid cannot replace the fundamental need to move assistance through as many land crossings as possible. The initiative seeks to alleviate the suffering caused by dwindling deliveries of relief supplies across Gaza’s land borders, with some attributing the shortages to Israeli restrictions.
Tragic Deaths and Calls for Investigation
Tragically, the Gaza health ministry reported the deaths of at least 13 children from malnutrition and dehydration, underscoring the severe impact of the ongoing conflict on the civilian population. A convoy of aid trucks in Gaza City, intended to provide relief, ended in a desperate rush that resulted in dozens of Palestinian deaths. The health ministry alleged that Israeli forces shot civilians, while the Israeli army insisted that most casualties occurred in a stampede or crush.
A United Nations team visiting Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City observed a significant number of gunshot wounds among Palestinians in the aftermath of the aid truck incident. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, joined calls for an “impartial international investigation” into the “unjustifiable” shooting against civilians attempting to access food supplies.
Human Toll of the Conflict
The chaotic scenes around the aid convoy have added to the already staggering toll of the conflict. The health ministry reported 116 people killed and over 750 wounded, drawing widespread international condemnation. The deaths from the aid convoy incident have contributed to the overall figure of Palestinian war dead in Gaza, reaching 30,320, with the majority being women and children. The conflict, which began on October 7, has witnessed an unprecedented Hamas attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. Gaza fighters have also reportedly abducted 250 hostages, with 130 still in captivity, including 31 presumed dead, as reported by Israel.
