Does Hamas withdraw? What is expected to happen in Gaza?

2024-04-27 12:48:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Hamas - the Palestinian group declared a terrorist organization by the United States of America and the European Union - said on Saturday that it is considering a new proposal by Israel for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Egypt has stepped up efforts to broker a deal to end the months-long war and prevent a possible ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah by Israel.

A senior Hamas official, Khalil al-Hayya, said the militant group is evaluating Israel's proposal and "as soon as it completes its review, it will submit its response."

He did not elaborate on Israel's offer, but said it was in response to a proposal Hamas made two weeks ago. Earlier this month, the parties negotiated a six-week ceasefire and the release of 40 civilian and sick hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons.

Hamas' statement comes hours after a high-level Egyptian delegation visited Israel, where they discussed "a new vision" for a ceasefire in Gaza, according to an Egyptian official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

As the fighting continues and the death toll mounts, Hamas and Israel are facing international pressure to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and prevent a possible Israeli offensive in Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population lives. of 2.3 million inhabitants sought refuge from the fighting in other parts of the territory.

Israel has been insisting for months that it is planning a ground offensive in Rafah, which is located on the border with Egypt. Israeli officials say many Hamas fighters are in the city.

The international community, including its major ally the US, has called on Israel not to occupy Rafah. But Israel has massed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles in southern Israel, near Rafah, and conducts airstrikes on the city almost daily.

On Saturday morning, six people, including four children, were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, officials at a local hospital said.

Meanwhile, Hamas has said it will not give up its demands for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Israel has rejected these demands.

Israel says it will continue its military offensive until it defeats Hamas and that it will continue its military presence in Gaza after the war.

Israel's war in Gaza against Hamas began after members of the group killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapped about 250 others during that attack in southern Israel.

More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed, two-thirds of them children and women, as a result of Israel's war in Gaza since then, according to Palestinian health officials./ REL