Hamas announced on Monday that it has accepted a new ceasefire proposal from Arab mediators aimed at halting the 22-month war in the Gaza Strip, which has claimed over 62,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The proposal, which requires Israel’s approval, comes as Israel plans to reoccupy Gaza City and other areas, raising fears of a deepening humanitarian crisis in a region experts warn is sliding into famine.
The ceasefire proposal, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, revives a U.S.-backed plan for a 60-day truce, during which some of the 50 remaining hostages would be released, with negotiations for a permanent ceasefire to follow. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, speaking at the Rafah crossing, which has been nonfunctional since Israel’s seizure in May 2024, confirmed that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has been invited to join the talks. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya are also involved, with mediators open to a deal releasing all hostages at once.
Israel, however, has not joined the latest talks, with an official stating its position—demanding the release of all hostages and the disarmament of Hamas—remains unchanged. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming Hamas is under pressure, vowed to continue the war until all hostages are freed and Israel maintains security control over Gaza. Hamas insists on a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal as conditions for releasing the remaining hostages, around 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive.
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The war, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people and abducted 251, has led to 62,004 Palestinian deaths and 156,230 injuries, per Gaza’s Health Ministry, with women and children comprising about half the fatalities. The ministry reported 1,965 deaths since May among those seeking aid, amid chaotic scenes around U.N. convoys. Israel denies targeting civilians, claiming it uses warning shots, while aid organizations report severe restrictions and lawlessness hindering food distribution, with daily meals dropping from 1 million in April to 380,000 last week.
Malnutrition has claimed at least 112 children and 151 adults since tracking began, with five more deaths reported Monday. Amnesty International accused Israel of a deliberate starvation campaign, which Israel denies, blaming U.N. agencies for distribution failures. As mediators push for peace, the mounting death toll and looming famine intensify calls for an urgent resolution to the conflict.
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