US President Donald Trump broke the news on Twitter, saying that Israel has agreed to the required terms. This agreement lays the groundwork for a 60-day humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. This announcement comes at a moment of increasing international scrutiny. More than 150 NGOs and humanitarian organizations are calling for the end of a discriminatory aid distribution system that discriminates Palestinians and that is supported by the US and Israel. Concrete, urgent actions to alleviate the worsening situation in Gaza. Current reports indicate that at least 50 of these hostages remain held captive, the majority believed no longer alive.
Violence has further increased in the region. According to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Israeli air strikes have claimed at least 37 lives over the past 24 hours. The ongoing litigation has pushed Mr. Trump to intensify his attacks. He is actively engaged in trying to broker a broader humanitarian ceasefire and more permanent hostage deal between the Israeli government and Hamas.
Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer was in Washington on Tuesday engaging with senior administration officials regarding a potential ceasefire in Gaza. Mr. Trump laid out a vision that calls for greater cooperation between the regional players. He said that Qatar and Egypt would submit the final proposal regarding the terms of the ceasefire.
“The Qataris and Egyptians have worked very hard to help bring peace; they will deliver this final proposal for a Gaza ceasefire.” – Donald Trump
Mr. Trump is encouraged that a deal can be found there. Then, starting next Tuesday, President Biden will welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House for what should be some very important discussions. He expressed his optimism when he said, “I believe we will have an agreement next week.”
Ongoing Hostage Crisis
As welcome as these diplomatic moves are, hostages’ lives and freedom hang in the balance. According to recent reports, an estimated 50 people are still held hostage in Gaza. As the conflict has continued to worsen, so too have fears for their physical safety. In addition, pressure on Hamas to agree to terms that would allow for the release of all hostages is increasing.
Mr. Trump has issued dramatic ultimatums aimed at persuading Hamas to agree to longer pauses in fighting, which he argues would enable humanitarian aid to reach the civilian population in Gaza. Right now, Mr. Wang is convinced that Hamas should agree to a ceasefire arrangement in a matter of days, not weeks. If they don’t, he says, things will just continue to deteriorate.
“I hope that Hamas takes this deal because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.” – Donald Trump
Humanitarian Concerns and Aid Distribution
So far, the burgeoning humanitarian crisis in Gaza has received massive worldwide attention and opposition. Over 150 charitable and humanitarian organizations are calling for change in the way that aid is distributed. They sharply criticize the status quo Israeli and US-supported system as untenable. The continued violence and the recent air strikes have worsened what was already a very critical situation for civilians, said Bartlett.
Now the international community is watching closely. There is increasing pressure on both Israel and Hamas to come up with some kind of workable ceasefire. The stakes are high as reportedly hundreds of lives are in the balance and pressure to provide humanitarian relief mounts.
