Hamas calls for pressure to end Israel's aid block on Gaza
The United Nations warned that Gaza, which has a population of about 2.4 million, is facing its most severe humanitarian crisis since the war began in October 2023. "The humanitarian situation is now likely the worst it has been in the 18 months since the outbreak of hostilities," said the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In a statement, OCHA said no supplies had reached Gaza for a month and a half. Medical supplies, fuel, water and other essentials are in short supply, the UN has specified.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday said the country would keep preventing humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip. "Blocking this aid is one of the main pressure levers preventing Hamas from using it as a tool with the population," Katz said in a statement. A Hamas source said that the group sent a written response on Thursday to mediators on Israel's latest proposal for a 45-day ceasefire. Israel had wanted the release of 10 living hostages held by the group, according to Hamas. It also called for the freeing of 1,231 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The proposal called for Hamas to disarm to secure a complete end to the war, a demand the group rejects.
Red Cross members take part in a campaign to raise people's awareness about the danger of approaching ordnance, in Khan Yunis. — Reuters
Meanwhile, Gaza's civil defence rescue agency said on Friday that Israeli strikes killed at least 24 people, including 10 from the same family, after Hamas signalled its rejection of Israel's latest ceasefire proposal. Civil defence reported at least 14 others killed in multiple Israeli strikes across the territory, including at least two strikes which hit tents sheltering displaced people.
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken refuge in such shelters while trying to escape from the war, which began on October 7, 2023. The Israeli military has intensified its aerial bombardments and expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip since resuming its offensive on March 18. A previous ceasefire and hostage release deal began on January 19 but collapsed two months later. Israel wanted to extend the first phase, while Hamas insisted that negotiations be held for a second phase as outlined by former US President Joe Biden last year.
A source from Hamas said that the militants sent a written response on Thursday to mediators on Israel's proposal for a 45-day ceasefire. Israel had wanted the release of 10 living hostages held by the group, according to Hamas. It also called for the freeing of 1,231 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. A Hamas official said the proposal further sought Hamas's disarmament to secure a complete end to the war, a demand the group rejects. He said Hamas "seeks a comprehensive deal involving a single-package prisoner exchange in return for halting the war, a withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip and the commencement of reconstruction" in the territory. — AFP
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