Hamas claimed in a statement on Friday that its delegation had received a request from mediators on Thursday to resume ceasefire talks, and that the organization’s response “committed to release the remains of four people who hold dual citizenship” in addition to the Israeli soldier who holds American citizenship.
Husam Badran, a Hamas official, stated earlier that the organization was “determined to implement the ceasefire agreement in its various stages, and any deviation from what was agreed will bring us back to zero.”
Israel charged Hamas of engaging in “psychological warfare” following the statement made by the Palestinian group.
In reference to US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Hamas continued to refuse the Witkoff framework, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, which called Hamas to be “manipulation and psychological warfare.”
A senior Hamas official announced on Tuesday that mediation-based indirect talks had begun in the Qatari capital Doha. Additionally, Israel had sent a team of negotiators.
Without any agreement on the following steps, Hamas and Israel’s first truce in the Gaza Strip came to an end on March 1.
In exchange for about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were imprisoned in Israeli prisons, Hamas released 33 captives during the initial six-week period of the ceasefire, including eight who had passed away.
2.3 million people were on the verge of widespread starvation after the truce agreement ended without a new deal.
According to Tareq Abu Azzoum of Al Jazeera, Khan Younis residents are “facing a severe and chronic shortage” of basic food and supplies.
According to Olga Cherevko of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the situation is “on multiple levels” dire.
She said, “The hope that started with the ceasefire is now being replaced by concern, concern, and concern that supplies are running out.”
Without the restoration of supplies, Cherevko predicted that the food supply could deteriorate “quite quickly.” There is no fuel to run six of the 25 World Food Programme bakeries, forcing them to close.
The closure of land crossings has resulted in an increase in food shortages, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.
A crucial water desalination plant’s electricity was also cut off, putting a threat to Gaza’s potable water supply.
“The majority of the facilities were completely destroyed during the months of fighting,” according to the statement. About 600, 000 people have less access to drinking water because of this recent Israeli decision, Cherevko said.
Israel has continued to bombard Gaza in spite of the ongoing ceasefire talks, with attacks on Beit Lahiya and Gaza City resulting in the deaths of two children.
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 48, 524 people have died and 111, 955 have been injured in Israel’s war there.
Source: Aljazeera
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