Israel had virtually approved the structure of a potential hostage release and Gaza ceasefire deal, according to an official from the United States administration. It is now up to Hamas to indicate their agreement.
International mediators have been trying to negotiate a ceasefire in the weeks leading up to the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in northern Gaza are in dire need of supplies, and authorities are worried that they are on the verge of starvation unless a compromise is reached.
Palestinians evacuate the area following an Israeli airstrike on the Sousi mosque in Gaza City on October 9, 2023. Israel continued to battle Hamas fighters on October 9 and massed tens of thousands of troops and heavy armor around the Gaza Strip after vowing a massive blow over the Palestinian militants' surprise attack.
Hamas Must Decide
In a report by The Associated News, the official said that the Israelis "have more or less accepted" the plan, which encompasses a six-week ceasefire. This also involves Hamas releasing detainees who are deemed vulnerable, such as the elderly, women, ill, and wounded.
"Right now, the ball is in the court of Hamas and we are continuing to push this as hard as we possibly can," said the insider.
According to a high-ranking Egyptian official, mediators from Egypt and Qatar are expecting to hear back from Hamas on Sunday, March 3.
See Also: US Military to Airdrop Food Aid to Gaza Amid Growing Humanitarian Crisis
Damaging Effects
Northern Gaza is now getting increasing attention as hundreds of thousands fight for survival there. The region has taken the worst hit since the onslaught by the Hamas terrorist organization on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 250 hostages.
Families in northern Gaza are rummaging among trash and debris in an effort to find food for their severely undernourished children. Reportedly, a lot of people have started making bread by combining grain with bird and animal feed.
World Health Organization data shows that ten children have died of starvation in Gazan hospitals.
Military aircraft from the US, Jordan, and Egypt reportedly dropped thousands of meals into Gaza via airdrops. Meanwhile, aid organizations are calling for more borders into Gaza to be opened and for the restrictions on the opened borders to be removed.
The number of Palestinian casualties in the conflict has risen to 30,320, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry's data do not distinguish between civilians and fighters. Nonetheless, it is said that around two-thirds of the casualties are women and children.
