The Israeli military continues its relentless bombardment of Gaza, subjecting the region to continued violence and starvation, as ceasefire negotiations remain critically suspended.
In the past 24 hours, airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of 79 individuals, with 163 others injured, many of them critically. Mediation efforts persist amid conflicting statements from various parties.
Reports have circulated that Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire proposal put forth by U.S. envoy Steve Whittaker, although Washington has denied any knowledge of an official approval from any side. Additionally, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, Bassem Naeem, stated that Whittaker’s proposal includes an Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of a long-term ceasefire.
U.S. Pressure
This comes after Israeli broadcasting authorities reported that the U.S. is exerting significant pressure, adding that Hamas is demanding American guarantees that Israel will not resume fighting even if no agreements are reached during a proposed 60-day ceasefire.
The broadcasters mentioned that mediators have suggested several proposals, including assurances through either a handshake between Whittaker and a senior Hamas official or an official statement from President Donald Trump regarding the situation.
Reports from Israeli sources indicated that Israel turned down Hamas’s offer to release ten prisoners in exchange for a 70-day truce with U.S. guarantees to conclude the war.
According to these reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a request from families of prisoners to meet with him on the eve of the conflict reaching its 600th day.
Humanitarian organizations have warned of a complete collapse in health and living conditions, as reports suggest that some families are now scavenging for food in garbage dumpsters. Yesterday, thousands of Palestinians rushed to a food distribution center southwest of Rafah as the new Israeli aid distribution mechanism was implemented, resulting in chaos and the evacuation of American private security personnel overseeing the site.
According to the German news agency, crowds of Palestinians who arrived to collect assistance from a distribution point established by the Israeli army, managed by a private American security firm, stormed the center and seized supplies after overwhelming the security forces.
The report, citing Palestinian sources, indicated that the security personnel lost control of the site on its first operational day in Gaza, prompting the Israeli army to intervene for their evacuation.
Desperation of the Hungry
In a statement regarding the incident, Gaza’s government media office commented: “Thousands of starving individuals, besieged by the occupation and deprived of food and medicine for about 90 days, surged towards these areas in a tragic and painful scene, culminating in the storming of distribution centers and seizing of food due to lethal hunger, coupled with occupation forces opening fire and injuring several citizens, clearly reflecting the complete collapse of the humanitarian path led by the occupation authorities.”
Conversely, Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of appropriating aid flowing into Gaza, a claim that the organization denies. Israel justifies the new mechanisms as measures to prevent Hamas from controlling such aid.
The new aid system in Gaza, operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, commenced operations on Monday, opening its first distribution points. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), announced that the UN does not participate in the relief operations conducted by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Laerke stated that this situation “diverts attention from the actual needs, which include reopening all crossings into Gaza, creating a secure environment within Gaza, and expediting permits and approvals for all emergency supplies that are directly outside the border and need to enter.”