Trump Delivers Final Warning to Hamas Regarding Hostages; Hamas Stands Prepared for Discussions
In a series of escalating events, the Israeli military has launched airstrikes on three residential towers in Gaza City over the past three days, raising fears of a further deterioration in the already dire humanitarian conditions for Palestinians living in the area.
The most recent attack on Sunday claimed at least 48 lives, according to the Gaza civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal. This latest round of violence has left many questioning the future of peace negotiations and the well-being of those caught in the crossfire.
The escalation has not gone unnoticed by the international community. US President Donald Trump issued a "last warning" to Hamas, demanding they accept a deal to release hostages in Gaza. In response, Hamas has expressed a willingness to negotiate, following some ideas from the American side aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement.
Israeli protesters took to the streets on Saturday, calling on their government to reverse the decision to seize Gaza City. Meanwhile, the Israeli government has reportedly accepted Trump's terms for the deal.
The White House has not released any details about the proposal, but Israeli campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum has welcomed Trump's latest intervention as a "true breakthrough."
The bombing of the Al-Roya tower, one of the targeted residential buildings, was felt as an "earthquake" by witness Mohammed Al-Nazli. In addition, the Israeli air force has leveled two other residential high-rises under the claim that Hamas had used them as observation points.
Hamas, which seized 251 hostages during a massive attack on Israel in October 2023, with 47 still believed to be in Gaza, has put forth certain conditions for a ceasefire. In exchange for a cessation of hostilities, Hamas wants a clear declaration of the end of the war, a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the formation of a committee of independent Palestinians to manage the Gaza Strip.
As the situation continues to evolve, around 100,000 residents had already left Gaza City as of Sunday, according to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Netanyahu has accused Hamas of trying to prevent evacuations and using civilians as "human shields."
The American envoy who sent a new proposal last week for a Gaza prisoner and ceasefire agreement to Hamas is Steve Witkoff. Trump, in a statement, predicted that "good things could happen" and that a deal on Gaza could be reached soon.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll on the civilian population, with Israel's retaliatory offensive having killed at least 64,368 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers reliable. The October 7, 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
The international community continues to watch closely as negotiations unfold, with hopes for a peaceful resolution and an improvement in the humanitarian conditions for those living in Gaza.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- Charity Golf Tournament Star-Studded Event: Lush greens, charitable giving, and a legendary castle setting
- Leading Africans Shaping Worldwide Positions by 2025
- Federalist Society Deserves Appreciation from Trump for Influence on Judiciary
