Many hoped that by the end of Ramadan a ceasefire agreement would have been reached in Gaza – but this did not happen. How are the negotiations going?
Many hoped that by the end of Ramadan there would be an agreement on a ceasefire in the war in Gaza – but these hopes were ultimately not fulfilled.
As millions of Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the fast, tough negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza continue – with their outcome uncertain as Israel continues its controversial plan for a ground offensive in Rafah.
However, according to media reports, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallad informed his US counterpart Lloyd Austin that there is no firm date for the operation yet – a statement that contradicts what Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has said recently. there is no specific date for the Rafa attack.
Are Israeli evacuation plans for Rafah continuing?
In a phone call with Austin, Gallant reportedly said that Israel is currently still working on plans to evacuate the civilian population from the area.
The US government wants to prevent a large-scale Israeli operation in Rafah. As US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, a meeting with an Israeli delegation is expected next week, where the US side will express its concerns about such an operation. “I don’t think any measures will be taken before these talks,” said Blinken. The US is convinced that a large-scale attack on Rafah would be extremely dangerous for civilians.
According to media reports, in preparation for the attack Israel has already purchased around 40,000 tents to house the civilians who will be evacuated from Rafah. As the Jerusalem Post wrote, this purchase prepares the ground for a military operation in the region “in the near future.”
Although there has been no official position regarding the purchase of the tents, an Israeli spokesman merely confirmed the preparation of thousands of “shelters”. At the same time, the UN estimates that more than one million refugees have gathered in Rafah.
USA: Israel has no credible plan for Rafa
The US believes that Israel has not yet presented a convincing plan to protect civilians in the area in the event of a ground attack. Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s national security adviser, said he has yet to see a “credible and thorough” plan by Israel to resettle people in Rafah that details how civilians will be housed and how they will have access. in medical care. “That’s why our concern still exists. We wait to see what happens and the US will react accordingly,” Sullivan said, adding that the US is in communication with the Israeli government.
The US administration still expects Israel to fulfill its promise to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. “What counts is results – and sustainable results,” said Blinken.
According to Israel, significantly more supplies have arrived in the Gaza Strip in recent days. As Cogat, the authority in charge of humanitarian aid and communication with the Palestinians, wrote in X, on Tuesday (09/04) 486 trucks with supplies were inspected, which then arrived in Gaza. “Since the start of the war this is the largest number of humanitarian aid trucks that have gone to the Gaza Strip in one day.”
Hamas: Israel is not interested in a ceasefire
Ahead of talks on a ceasefire and the release of the hostages, Sullivan said Hamas’s public statements were not “particularly encouraging” – so far the organization has not responded to the latest proposal. Sullivan spoke to Qatar, which is participating in the negotiations, urging its representatives to do everything they can to get a response from Hamas.
Information from Hamas circles in Beirut indicates that negotiations within the organization are not going well. The Israelis are said to be interested only in the hostage issue, but not in a ceasefire. There is still no official position regarding the progress of the negotiations. After the talks in Cairo, Hamas representatives left the Egyptian capital to consult with their superiors.
Attacks on Hezbollah bases in Syria
The Israeli army has announced that it has again carried out attacks against military bases of the Hezbollah paramilitary organization in Syria.
Israel’s air force has repeatedly bombed targets in Syria, seeking to prevent Iran and allied paramilitary groups such as Hezbollah from expanding their influence in the country. Since the start of the war in Gaza, these attacks have increased.
After Israel’s alleged airstrike on the Iranian embassy building in Syria a few days ago, Hezbollah said there would be consequences, while Iran also threatened retaliation. After all, Iran is the biggest supporter of Hezbollah – an organization that is fighting both politically and militarily against Israel.
Ireland in favor of a Palestinian state
Meanwhile, Ireland, which has criticized Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war, is in favor of a two-state solution and wants to officially recognize Palestine as a state, as Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Micho stated Martin in Dublin. Because delaying recognition any longer is no longer a “sustainable” tactic. However, both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas reject the two-state solution.
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
