Gaza ceasefire hopes revived, as Marles stresses no arms trade with Israel
Ceasefire efforts appeared to be reviving following Israel's announcement, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff preparing to meet Qatar's prime minister in Spain on Sunday AEST to discuss a new proposal to end the war, according to two officials familiar with the talks, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak with the media.
Mediators Egypt and Qatar were preparing a new ceasefire framework that would include the release of all hostages – dead and alive – in one go, in return for the war's end and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, two Arab officials told The Associated Press.
Hostages' families pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government over the weekend amid new fears for the 50 remaining hostages, with 20 of them thought to be alive and struggling.
Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held in Gaza, called on Israelis to 'help us save the hostages, the soldiers and the state of Israel'.
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A joint statement by nine countries, including Australia, Germany, Britain, France and Canada, said they 'strongly reject' Israel's decision for the large-scale military operation, saying it would worsen the 'catastrophic humanitarian situation', endanger hostages and further risk mass displacement. They said any attempts at annexation or settlement in Gaza violated international law.
A separate statement by more than 20 countries, including ceasefire mediators Egypt and Qatar along with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, called Israel's decision a 'dangerous and unacceptable escalation'.
Russia said Israel's plan would aggravate the 'already extremely dramatic situation' in Gaza.
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