Hamas mentioned Monday it has accepted a brand new proposal from Arab mediators for a ceasefire within the Gaza Strip that may nonetheless want Israel’s approval, as Gaza’s Well being Ministry mentioned the Palestinian loss of life toll from 22 months of combating has handed 62,000.
U.S. President Donald Trump in the meantime appeared to solid doubt on the long-running negotiations. “We are going to solely see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The earlier this takes place, the higher the probabilities of success will likely be,” he posted on his Fact Social website.
Israel introduced plans to reoccupy Gaza Metropolis and different heavy populated areas after the ceasefire talks appeared to have damaged down final month, elevating the potential for a worsening of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, which specialists say is sliding into famine.
Plans to broaden the offensive, that are partly aimed toward pressuring Hamas, have sparked worldwide outrage and infuriated many Israelis who worry for the remaining hostages taken within the Oct. 7 assault that began the struggle. Lots of of 1000’s took half in mass protests on Sunday calling for his or her return.
‘Intensive efforts’ to revive talks
Egyptian International Minister Badr Abdelatty mentioned mediators are “exerting intensive efforts” to revive a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, throughout which some hostages can be launched and the perimeters would negotiate an enduring ceasefire and the return of the remainder.
He spoke throughout a go to to Egypt’s Rafah crossing with Gaza, which has not functioned since Israel seized the Palestinian aspect in Could 2024. He was accompanied by Mohammad Mustafa, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, which has been largely sidelined for the reason that struggle started.
Abdelatty mentioned Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani had joined the talks, which embody senior Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya, who arrived in Cairo final week. He mentioned they’re open to different concepts, together with for a complete deal that may launch all of the hostages directly.
Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, later advised The Related Press that the militant group had accepted the proposal launched by the mediators, with out elaborating.
An Egyptian official, chatting with the AP on situation of anonymity to debate the delicate talks, mentioned the proposal contains adjustments to Israel’s pullback of its forces and ensures for negotiations on an enduring ceasefire through the preliminary truce. The official mentioned it’s virtually equivalent to an earlier proposal accepted by Israel, which has not but joined the most recent talks.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to proceed the struggle till all of the hostages are returned and Hamas has been disarmed, and to keep up lasting safety management over Gaza. Hamas has mentioned it is going to solely launch the remaining hostages in alternate for an enduring ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal.
Palestinian loss of life toll surpasses 62,000
Hamas-led militants kidnapped 251 individuals and killed round 1,200, principally civilians, within the assault that ignited the struggle. Fifty hostages are nonetheless inside Gaza, round 20 of them believed by Israel to be alive, after a lot of the relaxation have been launched in ceasefires or different offers.
The Gaza Well being Ministry mentioned the Palestinian loss of life toll from the struggle had climbed to 62,004, with one other 156,230 individuals wounded. It doesn’t say what number of have been civilians or combatants, however says ladies and kids make up round half the lifeless.
The ministry is a part of the Hamas-run authorities and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and plenty of unbiased specialists take into account its figures to be probably the most dependable estimate of wartime casualties. Israel disputes its toll however has not offered its personal.
The ministry mentioned 1,965 individuals have been killed whereas searching for humanitarian support since Could, both within the chaos round U.N. convoys or whereas heading to websites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Basis, an Israeli-backed American contractor.
Witnesses, well being officers and the U.N. human rights workplace say Israeli forces have repeatedly fired towards crowds of individuals searching for support. Israel says it has solely fired warning photographs at individuals who approached its forces. GHF says its armed contractors have solely used pepper spray or fired into the air on uncommon events to stop lethal crowding.
Extra deaths linked to malnutrition
Specialists have warned that Israel’s ongoing offensive is pushing Gaza towards famine, even after it eased a whole 2 1/2-month blockade on the territory in Could. The Gaza Well being Ministry mentioned Monday that 5 extra individuals, together with two youngsters, died of malnutrition-related causes.
It says at the very least 112 youngsters have died of malnutrition-related causes for the reason that struggle started, and 151 adults have died for the reason that ministry began monitoring grownup malnutrition deaths in June.
Amnesty Worldwide on Monday accused Israel of “finishing up a deliberate marketing campaign of hunger.”
Israel has rejected such allegations, saying it permits in sufficient meals and accusing the U.N. of failing to promptly ship it. U.N. companies say they’re hindered by Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of regulation and order within the territory, round three-quarters of which is now managed by Israel.
Israeli lawmaker denied visa to Australia
In a separate growth, far-right Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman accused Australia of antisemitism after it denied him a visa for a talking tour. Rothman is a member of the Non secular Zionism celebration, which helps the continuation of the struggle, the mass relocation of Palestinians by way of what it describes as voluntary migration and the reestablishment of Jewish settlements in Gaza.
“The Australian authorities’s choice to disclaim me the chance to return and communicate to my individuals, resulting from expressing easy and clear positions, is evident and blatant antisemitism that provides a lift to terrorism,” Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported Rothman saying on Monday.
Australian Residence Affairs Minister Tony Burke defended the transfer, saying: “In case you are coming to Australia to unfold a message of hate and division, we don’t need you right here.”
In response, Israel revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and advised the Israeli Embassy in Australia to “fastidiously study” any official visa functions from Australia to Israel, International Minister Gideon Saar wrote on X.
Australia joined 27 different Western-allied nations in a joint assertion final month calling for an finish to the struggle and joined a smaller circle of nations in sanctioning two far-right Israeli authorities ministers accused of inciting violence towards Palestinians within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution.
Magdy reported from Cairo and Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Related Press author Rod McGuirk contributed from Canberra, Australia.
