A senior Hamas official has stated that mediators have been intensifying their efforts to negotiate a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza, but negotiations with Israel have been stalled. US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about progress in Gaza following the end of the 12-day Israel-Iran war, with his envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly indicating that an agreement between Israel and Hamas is “very close.”
However, Israeli attacks on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of at least 45 Palestinians, including individuals seeking aid, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Additionally, the Israeli military reported that seven soldiers were killed in a bomb attack on Tuesday, which was claimed by Hamas.
Efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to broker a deal stalled in late May when Hamas reportedly sought “totally unacceptable” amendments to a US proposal supported by Israel for a 60-day truce. Israel had resumed its military operations in Gaza on March 18, aiming to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, with fifty still held in Gaza and at least twenty believed to be alive.
Israel also imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza at the beginning of March, partially easing it after 11 weeks under pressure from US allies and warnings from global experts about starvation risks. The US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has been distributing aid, bypassing the UN, but this initiative has been met with resistance and concerns about safety and adherence to humanitarian principles.
Furthermore, Palestinians in Gaza have expressed mixed views on the implications of the ceasefire, with some seeing it as a potential step towards peace and others fearing increased Israeli military focus on Gaza. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, and there are ongoing concerns about access to aid and the safety of civilians.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clylzlv91pro
