U.S. persists in urging a truce in Gaza, with President Trump delivering a final threat
The United States has renewed its push to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with President Donald Trump presenting a new peace proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release agreement. The proposal, which reportedly includes "highly significant guarantees" that Israel won't resume fighting so long as talks are ongoing for an end to the war, has been confirmed by Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who stated that Israel is willing to agree based on this draft. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu's cabinet has not yet officially confirmed their support for the proposal.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a "final warning" to Hamas, stating that Gaza will be destroyed and Hamas will be annihilated if they do not release hostages and put down their weapons. This warning comes as Israel continues its offensive, bombing a third high-rise in as many days, claiming it is being used by Hamas to monitor the location of troops in the area.
Meanwhile, Hamas is ready to "immediately sit at the negotiating table" following what it describes as "some ideas from the American side aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement." The proposal was delivered to Hamas through senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad, and represents a continuation of negotiations from 2011, when Gershon Baskin helped broker messages for a kidnapped Israeli soldier.
In a strong stance against the ongoing conflict, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez aims to "stop the genocide in Gaza, pursue its perpetrators, and support the Palestinian population." Sanchez's government will approve a decree to "consolidate in law" a ban on military equipment sales or purchases with Israel, a measure it had applied since the start of the conflict. Additionally, all those people participating directly in the genocide, the violation of human rights, and war crimes in the Gaza Strip will be banned from entering Spanish territory.
As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, it remains unclear whether a ceasefire will be reached and whether the hostages will be released. However, the international community's increased involvement and tougher stances against both Israel and Hamas suggest a growing urgency to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
