Zionists continue stalling, killing after Hamas backs truce

Kuwait Times

a day ago

GAZA: A senior Zionist official on Tuesday said the government stood firm on its call for the release of all captives in any future Gaza ceasefire deal, after Hamas accepted a new truce proposal. Mediators are awaiting an official Zionist response to the plan, a day after Hamas signaled its readiness for a fresh round of talks aimed at ending nearly two years of war.
Mediator Qatar expressed guarded optimism for the new proposal, noting that it was 'almost identical' to an earlier version agreed to by the Zionist entity. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior Zionist official told AFP the government's stance had not changed and demanded the release of all captives in any deal.
The two foes have held on-and-off indirect negotiations throughout the war, resulting in two short truces during which Zionist hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but they have ultimately failed to broker a lasting ceasefire.
Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States, have mediated the frequent rounds of shuttle diplomacy.
Egypt said Monday that it and Qatar had sent the new proposal to the Zionist entity, adding 'the ball is now in its court'. Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday that Hamas had given a 'very positive response, and it truly was almost identical to what the (Zionist) side had previously agreed to'. 'We cannot make any claims that a breakthrough has been made. But we do believe it is a positive point,' he added.
According to a report in Egyptian state-linked outlet Al-Qahera News, the latest deal proposes an initial 60-day truce, a partial hostage release, the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners and provisions allowing for the entry of aid. Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly comment on the plan, but said last week that his country would accept 'an agreement in which all the hostages are released at once and according to our conditions for ending the war'.
Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said on social media that his group had 'opened the door wide to the possibility of reaching an agreement, but the question remains whether Netanyahu will once again close it, as he has done in the past'. Hamas' acceptance of the proposal came as Netanyahu faced increasing pressure at home and abroad to end the war.
The new proposal also comes after the Zionist security cabinet approved plans to conquer Gaza City, fanning fears the new offensive will worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the devastated territory. Zionist far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir – who has staunchly opposed ending the war – slammed the plan, warning of a 'tragedy' if Netanyahu 'gives in to Hamas'.
Gaza's civil defense agency reported that 45 people were killed on Tuesday by Zionist strikes and fire across the territory. Agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP the situation was 'very dangerous and unbearable' in the Zeitoun and Sabra neighborhoods of Gaza City, where he said 'artillery shelling continues intermittently'. Tanks completed taking control of Zeitoun and continued to pound Sabra, killing two women and a man, medics said. Local health authorities said dozens of people had been trapped in their houses because of the shelling.
Thousands of people are estimated to have fled the area in the past few days. Sabra resident Hussein Al-Dairi, 44, said 'tanks are firing shells and mortars, and drones are firing bullets and missiles' in the neighborhood. 'We heard on the news that Hamas had agreed to a truce, but the occupation is escalating the war against us, the civilians,' he added. The Zionist offensive has killed at least 62,064 Palestinians, most of them civilians.
At a shelter in Khan Yunis, in the south of the enclave, displaced people had mixed feelings over whether a deal would be reached this time. 'I expect - every time the (Zionist) occupation would be obstinate, reject and receive proposals with negative responses - I expect the same for this proposal as well,' said Abdallah Al-Khawaja. Women sat by wood fires cooking meals for their families, while men filled plastic gallons with water; many hoped the Zionist entity would approve the proposal.
'What I say and expect as a member of the Palestinian people living in the Gaza Strip, one of the bereaved and displaced, is that I expect a positive response (from the Zionist entity),' said Awad Labde. Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq said that the truce proposal it has agreed to is an interim accord that would pave the way for negotiations on ending the war. A source close to the talks said that, unlike previous rounds, Hamas accepted the proposal with no further demands. – Agencies