- The United States rejects the counter-proposition by Hamas for the ceasefire as “totally unacceptable”
Gaza Strip: At least 32 Palestinians were killed and 136 others injured in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health of the territory announced on Sunday.
The latest wave of strikes struck several areas, including Rafah and Northern Gaza, in the midst of growing hostilities and the amount of international concerns concerning the worsening of the humanitarian crisis.
Earlier, an Israeli attack near an aid distribution point led by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) killed at least 39 people in Rafah.
There was no immediate comment from Israel on the reported attack, which said that Wafa had injured more than 220 people, Al Jazeera reported.
The GHF, also supported by Israel, recently started operating in Gaza.
Although some Palestinians have expressed concern about its neutrality and biometric and other verifications that Israel has declared that it would use, Israeli officials support it makes it possible to detect the recipients to exclude anyone who is deemed linked to Hamas.
Ceasefire conferences
Hamas has submitted a counter-proposition to the United States for a potential ceasefire in Gaza, including a 60-day truce, limited hostage versions and the initiation of negotiations for a permanent cease-fire. However, the United States quickly rejected the response as “totally unacceptable”.
According to documents obtained by Al Jazeera, Hamas proposed to release 10 Israeli captives living in three stages and to return the bodies of 18 others. In exchange, he demanded the release of an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.
The proposal also calls for the entry of unconditional humanitarian aid through the UN and affiliated agencies, and to negotiations on a permanent ceasefire to start the first day of the truce. Hamas has also requested a guarantee from the Trump administration – cited in the proposal project – to support talks towards a final regulations.
The American special envoy Steve Witkoff criticized the answer, saying that it would only make us “resume” and urged Hamas to accept the framework already presented by Washington and his allies.
“This is the only way to conclude a 60-day cease-fire contract in the coming days, in which half of living hostages and half of those who died will return home,” said Witkoff in an article on X, formerly Twitter.
A senior Hamas official, addressing the regional media, said that the group’s counter-offer was designed as a “positive response” and focused on securing a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a binding cease-fire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the US envoy, rejecting Hamas’ proposal and accusing the group of staying rooted in “rejectionism”.
The War of Israel against Gaza
The total number of deaths of the War of Israel against Gaza increased to 54,418 killed and 124,190 injured since October 7, 2023, the ministry said, reported Al Jazeera.
Israel killed 4,149 Palestinians and injured 12,149 since his ceasefire breaking two months on March 18 of this year.
The atrocities of Israel have moved around 90% of the 2 million estimated residents of Gaza, created a serious hunger crisis and caused general destruction across the territory.
The International Criminal Court published arrest mandates last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for his war against the enclave.
