Leaders in the European Union have managed to overcome their individual differences, resulting in a united call for an “immediate humanitarian break that will develop into a sustainable ceasefire” in the region of Gaza. This announcement was made prior to the anticipated act by the United States to put forward a resolution for an immediate peace agreement and a prompt resolution for hostage situations, especially with the approach of possible famine.
The EU’s announcement was made during a late-night Brussels summit on Thursday, making it the first shared motion on the Middle East from European leaders since last October. The US draft resolution, set to be presented to the UN Security Council on Friday, mirrors the growing urgency in American foreign policy. For the first time, the administration of President Biden is using language that calls for an “immediate ceasefire”, yet they continue to interconnect peace with a deal concerning hostages.
Both the CIA and Mossad head spies, William Burns and David Barnea, are aimed to land in Qatar on the same Friday, hoping to secure a delicate peace-for-hostages agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Addressing the situation from Egypt, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, indicated that they still face challenging tasks, however, he holds optimism that it is achievable. Mr. Blinken had earlier uttered his belief that the discussions in Qatar may still end in a ceasefire agreement for Gaza, amidst the ongoing attacks on Hamas fighters in Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital and the consequent evacuation of patients.
In Cairo, he held meetings with Arab foreign ministers and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, while negotiations in Qatar mainly focused on achieving approximately a six-week ceasefire. This would permit the liberation of 40 Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians presently held in Israeli prisons.
Blinken stated: “Negotiators are consistently striving. The differences are dwindling, and we are persistently encouraging an agreement in Doha. While difficult tasks remain, I hold faith that it is feasible. We’ve managed to reduce the differences, however, gaps still exist. Thus, I am unable to assign any timeline, but can confidently express that we are dedicated to doing the utmost to achieve an agreement.”
A significant obstruction in reaching the ceasefire agreement has emerged due to Hamas’ statement that they will only release hostages as part of a broader agreement to end the conflict, whereas Israel asserts that it will only negotiate a temporary cessation of the conflict.
Notably, a broadcast from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declared that Israel’s spy chief, David Barnea, would journey to Qatar this Friday to meet with negotiators.
As Israel’s raid on Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital, the only remaining functional medical institution in the region’s north, entered its fourth day, local inhabitants reported seeing buildings ablaze within the compound. Allegations of gunfire and shooting of civilians within the premises also surfaced. A representative from the Israeli military informed that they have identified members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad taking refuge in the hospital’s emergency room segment, and the operation is likely to persist for several more days.
Whilst Hamas denies these allegations and claims that the casualties comprise injured patients and refugees, Israeli rear admiral Daniel Hagari stated that patient evacuation is in process. Approximately 220 patients are being moved to a fortified building equipped with necessary medical facilities, he informed. The operation also pressurises gunmen hiding within the complex to surrender. Hagari also mentioned the capture of several high-ranking Hamas officers, though details remain undisclosed as they are providing crucial intelligence.
Osama Al-Ashi, a journalist living in proximity to Al Shifa hospital, posted on his Facebook page expressing his fears and stating that he was unable to evacuate due to the area being surrounded by tanks. At a time when rampant warfare over the past five months has led to an acute food shortage, the leader of the WHO highlighted the need to allow aid-carrying trucks through more border crossings to avert a potential famine in Gaza.
Gaza’s health authorities reported a staggering death toll nearing 32,000 Palestinians as a result of Israel’s offensive. Israel attributes the start of the war to a militant attack by ruling party Hamas on southern Israel on October 7th, which reportedly led to around 1,200 deaths and 253 hostages. The President of Egypt stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire to manage the heightening humanitarian crisis, expressing concerns about Israel’s planned military action in Rafah. Civilians have mostly taken refuge here, making it the final safe haven against the Egyptian border amidst increasing international worry.
A senior Israeli official has strongly affirmed that Israel is prepared to seize control of Rafah, even if it strains their relationship with the United States. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer stated in a podcast that around one-fourth of Hamas’ initial combat troops are positioned there, and he emphasized that the takeover would occur regardless of whether Israel stands solo in this mission.
Contrarily, Mr Blinken asserted that a full-scale military intrusion into Rafah would be an error, deeming it unnecessary.
To discuss accelerating humanitarian aid delivery, representatives from 36 nations and United Nation organisations convened in Cyprus. WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasised the importance of enlarging land crossways for conducting large-scale aid deliveries to avert a famine. He reiterated the crucial need for Israel to pave more pathways and quicken the entry and distribution of crucial amenities like water, food, medical resources, and other humanitarian help to and within Gaza.
The Palestinians of Gaza bemoan observing Ramadan, an Islamic holy month featuring daytime fasting, in the absence of their loved ones who lost their lives and adequate food for their offspring.
In a school managed by the Palestinian refugee agency of the UN in Gaza, thousands fleeing the Israeli air raids found insufficient food to cease their daily fasts, a stark contrast to other Muslims globally.
Basel al-Soueidi, taking refuge in the Jabalia camp, prepared a scanty meal of red lentils for his surviving family members. With 17 fatalities in his family due to the conflict, al-Soueidi lamented the lack of food, water, and the absence of his cousins and uncle with whom they used to gather during Ramadan.
Israeli authorities reported that their forces had eliminated more than 50 Hamas combatants in a day, bringing the death count to 140 around Al-Shifa hospital, inclusive of two soldiers from Israel. They also declared capturing 358 militants belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the hospital complex raids.