Hamas participates in ceasefire discussions while Israel intensifies attacks in Gaza
On Saturday, Hamas expressed its endorsement for any ceasefire proposal regarding Gaza, provided that it ensures a permanent ceasefire and the total withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
TroibNews
Hamas announced on Saturday its support for any ceasefire proposal concerning Gaza that ensures a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the region.
In a statement, Hamas emphasized that such a proposal should also alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and include a significant prisoner exchange agreement.
A delegation from Hamas traveled to Cairo on Saturday upon Egypt's invitation. While in the Egyptian capital, they are anticipated to meet with mediators from Qatar and Egypt as part of ongoing efforts to negotiate an agreement and put an end to Israeli assaults in Gaza, according to the group.
On the same day, the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, released a video featuring Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who has been in captivity in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
In the video, Alexander outlined his difficulties and voiced worries about his safety due to continuing Israeli military actions in Gaza. He attributed responsibility for his situation to the Israeli government, claiming it had not taken the necessary steps to secure his release.
Following the video's airing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that he had communicated with Alexander's family and assured them that efforts to secure the release of all hostages are ongoing.
Hamas claimed it had notified mediators of its agreement to free Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages on March 14.
The initial six-week period of a ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas concluded on March 1, with discussions for a second phase currently at a standstill.
In the meantime, Israeli forces have resumed airstrikes in Gaza as of March 18. According to Gaza's health authorities, the renewed Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of 1,563 Palestinians and injuries to 4,004 others.
After declaring the complete encirclement of Rafah city in southern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces communicated their intention to extend operational control over the corridor and conduct "counterterrorism" operations in the area.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also indicated that Israel plans to broaden its military operations across much of the Gaza Strip.
Prior to the resumption of lethal air and ground assaults on the enclave, Israel had barred the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2.
In a statement, the Hamas-run Gaza media office accused Israel of employing water as "a weapon of war" to carry out "a crime of slow mass killing" against residents of Gaza.
It claimed that Israel has demolished over 4,000 houses and facilities that contained solar energy systems, which play a crucial role in supplying alternative electricity and support vital operations in hospitals, health centers, water wells, desalination plants, universities, schools, bakeries, factories, and other essential sectors.
The group urged the international community and UN organizations, particularly the Human Rights Council, to fulfill their legal and moral obligations and take immediate action to halt the brutal war and ongoing aggression against civilians and critical infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.
On the same day, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East raised alarms regarding a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
"All basic supplies are running out in Gaza. It means babies, children are going to bed hungry," said Juliette Touma, the agency's director of communications, in a statement.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this article for TROIB News
In a statement, Hamas emphasized that such a proposal should also alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and include a significant prisoner exchange agreement.
A delegation from Hamas traveled to Cairo on Saturday upon Egypt's invitation. While in the Egyptian capital, they are anticipated to meet with mediators from Qatar and Egypt as part of ongoing efforts to negotiate an agreement and put an end to Israeli assaults in Gaza, according to the group.
On the same day, the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, released a video featuring Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who has been in captivity in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
In the video, Alexander outlined his difficulties and voiced worries about his safety due to continuing Israeli military actions in Gaza. He attributed responsibility for his situation to the Israeli government, claiming it had not taken the necessary steps to secure his release.
Following the video's airing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that he had communicated with Alexander's family and assured them that efforts to secure the release of all hostages are ongoing.
Hamas claimed it had notified mediators of its agreement to free Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages on March 14.
The initial six-week period of a ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas concluded on March 1, with discussions for a second phase currently at a standstill.
In the meantime, Israeli forces have resumed airstrikes in Gaza as of March 18. According to Gaza's health authorities, the renewed Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of 1,563 Palestinians and injuries to 4,004 others.
After declaring the complete encirclement of Rafah city in southern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces communicated their intention to extend operational control over the corridor and conduct "counterterrorism" operations in the area.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also indicated that Israel plans to broaden its military operations across much of the Gaza Strip.
Prior to the resumption of lethal air and ground assaults on the enclave, Israel had barred the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2.
In a statement, the Hamas-run Gaza media office accused Israel of employing water as "a weapon of war" to carry out "a crime of slow mass killing" against residents of Gaza.
It claimed that Israel has demolished over 4,000 houses and facilities that contained solar energy systems, which play a crucial role in supplying alternative electricity and support vital operations in hospitals, health centers, water wells, desalination plants, universities, schools, bakeries, factories, and other essential sectors.
The group urged the international community and UN organizations, particularly the Human Rights Council, to fulfill their legal and moral obligations and take immediate action to halt the brutal war and ongoing aggression against civilians and critical infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.
On the same day, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East raised alarms regarding a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
"All basic supplies are running out in Gaza. It means babies, children are going to bed hungry," said Juliette Touma, the agency's director of communications, in a statement.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this article for TROIB News
