The elusive peace in the Palestinian seem to be within reach, even as the Hamas militant group state readiness to embrace peace.
This is coming form the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who informed mediators, Qatar and Egypt, that his Palestinian militant group had accepted their Gaza truce proposal. This peace move is coming after nearly seven months of war with Israel.
The acceptance of the peace truce was contained in a statement published on Hamas official website.
According to AFP, Haniyeh had spoken on the phone with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and with Egyptian Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamel. He informed them of Hamas’s approval of their proposal regarding a ceasefire agreement.
According to a senior Hamas official, this does not mean that the ceasefire has come into effect yet. The official pointed out that the Israeli side has not yet communicated its position.
Another senior official told AFP on condition of anonymity, because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations. He said that, “The ball is now in the court of the Israeli occupation. Whether it will agree to the ceasefire agreement or obstruct it.”
The Hamas announcement came after Israel on Monday called on Palestinians to leave eastern Rafah. This is ahead of a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city. The announcement has, however, increased global alarm about the consequences of such a move.
AFP correspondent reported that in Rafah, crowds cheered and fired in the air in the streets following Hamas’s announcement. Recall that the civilians had voiced fear and confusion over the Israeli evacuation order.
The correspondent added that people were crying tears of happiness. As they were heard chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is Greatest) and shooting in the air in celebration of the news.
Recall that despite months of shuttle diplomacy, mediators have failed to broker a new truce. This is unlike the week-long ceasefire that saw 105 hostages released in November,2023.
“Previous negotiation efforts had stalled in part because of Hamas’s demand for a lasting ceasefire. And Netanyahu’s vow to crush its remaining fighters in Rafah.
Recall that hostilities began in Gaza following Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel. That attack has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
“Israel estimates that 128 of the hostages abducted by militants on October 7 remain in Gaza, including 35 who the military says are dead.
Israel has conducted a retaliatory offensive that has killed at least 34,735 people in Gaza, mostly women and children. Hamas-run territory’s health ministry, said.
source: AFP
