GAZA: A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian resistance group Hamas could start within days and last through the holy month of Ramadan, US President Joe Biden said, with Qatar expressing hope on Tuesday that ongoing negotiations would produce a deal before the Muslim holy month.
Efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas intensify as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches dire levels. As the conflict in Gaza enters its 144th day, the United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA accuses Israel of systematically blocking aid access to the territory’s north, exacerbating the suffering of civilians.
Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are actively engaged in negotiations, proposing a six-week halt to fighting and the release of Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian resistance group since October 7. The proposed ceasefire aims to provide temporary relief from violence and facilitate the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the displaced Palestinians.
Dr. @majedalansari Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the weekly media briefing: We are aiming to reach a final agreement before the beginning of Ramadan, a humanitarian pause that would ease the tensions and would allow us to bring more aid into Gaza. pic.twitter.com/fc84JFlfOD
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) February 27, 2024
President Biden expressed optimism about reaching a ceasefire agreement by next Monday, emphasizing the importance of securing the release of hostages and easing the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, Qatar hopes to announce a deal before the start of Ramadan, scheduled for March 10 or 11, pending lunar observations.
Negotiators have outlined a tentative plan for a six-week halt in fighting, along with the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and increased aid for the besieged Gaza Strip. The proposed truce is expected to last 42 days, with the possibility of renewal, according to Hamas sources, AFP reported. Israeli forces would reportedly withdraw from cities and populated areas in Gaza during this period, allowing some displaced Gazans to return home.
Under the proposed truce, Hamas would release 42 Israeli hostages. In exchange, Israel would release Palestinian prisoners, including women, children, and the elderly, at a ratio of 10-to-one.
However, tensions remain high as Israel maintains its stance on a potential ground invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, home to approximately 1.5 million Palestinian civilians seeking refuge. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserts that a truce would only delay, not prevent, such an incursion, citing the need for “total victory” over the Palestinian resistance group.
Essential Aid Delivery to Gaza
Mounting international pressure for a ceasefire reflects concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The truce proposal includes provisions for a significant increase in aid deliveries, with between 400 and 500 aid trucks expected to enter Gaza daily. Efforts to restore essential services such as hospitals, bakeries, and water stations would also be prioritized during the ceasefire period.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has climbed to 29,878 since the start of Israel’s relentless offensive against the besieged territory on October 7, 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. As the deadly Israeli onslaught continues, the toll continues to rise, with 96 people killed and 172 others injured in the past 24 hours alone.
The ongoing offensive, launched following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, has also resulted in significant displacement, with approximately 85% of Gazans forced to flee their homes. Moreover, the majority of the population faces food insecurity, and access to essential aid has been severely limited, with fewer aid trucks entering Gaza compared to before the conflict began.
