Israeli Strike Kills Eight Near Shelter in Gaza
The death toll in the Gaza Strip has surpassed 36,000, with at least eight people, including children, killed in an Israeli strike targeting a vehicle near a shelter housing displaced Palestinians in Deir el-Balah, in central Gaza.
Mediator Qatar has stated that it is waiting for a clear position from Israel on a proposed ceasefire and captive release deal. The Israeli proposal, reflecting the positions stated by U.S. President Joe Biden last week, is now closer to the positions of both parties.
President Biden laid out a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel to Hamas to end the war. While Hamas has expressed a positive view of the proposal, a Senior Hamas official criticized Washington and the West’s calls for acceptance, stating it seemed as if Hamas was hindering the deal.
The Ceasefire Proposal
The offer includes a ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza. A Qatari foreign ministry spokesman emphasized the importance of ending the suffering of all people in Gaza and providing a roadmap for a permanent ceasefire.
Qatar, along with the US and Egypt, has been engaged in months of negotiations for a ceasefire and exchange of captives and prisoners. Despite a temporary break in the fighting in November, the conflict has not been fully resolved.
(Source: Reuters and other News Agencies)
