New attempts are underway to reach a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas that could pause the war in Gaza, a member of Israel’s War Cabinet said late Wednesday. “Initial signs indicate a possibility of moving forward,” said Benny Gantz, a former military chief and defense minister. It’s the first Israeli indication of renewed cease-fire talks since negotiations stalled a week ago. However, Gantz repeated his pledge that unless Hamas agrees to release the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza, Israel will launch a ground offensive into the crowded southern city of Rafah during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Israel’s war in Gaza has driven some 80% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes. Most heeded Israeli orders to flee south and around 1.5 million are packed into Rafah near the border with Egypt. Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 67 Palestinians overnight and into Wednesday, including in areas where civilians have been told to seek refuge. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage. About a fourth of some 130 captives still being held are believed to be dead. Israel has laid waste to much of the Palestinian territory in response. Gaza’s Health Ministry estimates more than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Quick Read
- Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s War Cabinet, has indicated new attempts to negotiate a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, marking the first sign of renewed talks after a previous stall.
- Gantz emphasized that Israel’s ground offensive in Rafah during Ramadan hinges on Hamas’s release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
- The conflict has displaced 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population, with many seeking refuge in Rafah, near the Egyptian border.
- Recent Israeli strikes in Gaza resulted in at least 67 Palestinian casualties, including in areas designated as safe for civilians.
- The war, initiated by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, has led to significant casualties and hostages, with Israel retaliating extensively.
- Israel’s demands include the release of over 100 hostages by Hamas, while Hamas seeks an end to the war, Israeli troop withdrawal, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
- Despite international efforts, no cease-fire deal has been reached yet, but Gantz noted positive initial signs for potential progress.
- Israel plans to evacuate civilians from Rafah before any potential offensive but insists on action during Ramadan if hostages are not released, despite international pleas for civilian protection.
The Associated Press has the story:
New attempts at Gaza cease-fire are underway, Israel’s Gantz says
Newslooks- JERUSALEM — (AP)
A member of Israel’s three-person War Cabinet says there are new attempts underway to reach a cease-fire deal to pause the war in Gaza.
But Benny Gantz says Israel is ready to press ahead with its offensive in the southern city of Rafah during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, despite widespread international opposition.
Israel is seeking the release of the more than 100 hostages that Hamas is still holding in Gaza. Hamas wants an end to the war, withdrawal of all Israeli troops and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Weeks of efforts by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar have so far not yielded a deal. However Gantz, a former military chief and defense minister, said there are “initial signs that indicate the possibility of moving forward.”
“We will not stop looking for the way and we will not miss any opportunity to bring the girls and boys home,” he added.
Israel has identified Rafah, a city on the Egyptian border where over half of Gaza’s population has sought refuge, as its next target. It says Rafah is the last remaining Hamas stronghold after nearly five months of fighting.
Gantz said Israel will evacuate the hundreds of thousands of civilians in Rafah before striking, but repeated his pledge that the offensive will take place during Ramadan if hostages are not released.
“I repeat — if there is no outline for the (hostage) release, we will also operate during Ramadan,” he said.
The U.S. and other members of the international community have urged Israel not to strike Rafah without a plan to protect civilians.
