Tension in the Gaza Strip continues to rise as we await Hamas’s response to the proposed truce in exchange for the Israeli hostages. A delegation from the Palestinian group is currently in Cairo for negotiations. Meanwhile, the Israeli army is preparing for a ground operation in Rafah, in the south of the Strip, where more than a million Palestinians have taken refuge following shelling in northern Gaza.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern about the situation. During the Sedona Forum in Arizona, Blinken said that an attack on Rafah would cause damage “beyond acceptable”. He stressed that the United States cannot sustain a large-scale military operation without a credible plan to protect civilians.
International pressure on Hamas increases further with Qatar saying it is ready to accept a US request to expel Hamas leaders present in the country. According to ‘The Times of Israel’, if Hamas were to reject the truce offer, Washington could ask Qatar to oust the terrorist group’s leadership.
Blinken stressed that Hamas is the only obstacle to the ceasefire and praised Israel’s latest proposal as “extraordinarily generous.” He urged both sides to act now to end the conflict. The situation remains delicate as the international community continues to seek a diplomatic solution to avoid a further escalation of the conflict in the region.
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