As the Israeli army expands its offensive in the southern Gaza Strip, diplomatic efforts to end the fighting are in full swing. According to a media report, the under-pressure Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now proposed a two-month ceasefire to free hostages still held by the Islamist Hamas. Meanwhile, Arab countries are said to be working on a peace proposal in which Saudi Arabia would offer recognition of Israel in exchange for the creation of a Palestinian state.
Another military attack on the Houthi militia
Meanwhile, the US and Britain, with the support of other allies, have again attacked Houthi militia positions in Yemen. The coordinated military strike targeted eight sites of Iran-backed Islamists on Monday, the allies said in a Pentagon statement. EU countries also want to participate militarily in securing international shipping in the Red Sea, which is threatened by continued attacks from the Houthis. On Monday they reached an agreement in principle on a military operation that diplomats said should ideally start next month.
Heavy fighting in southern Gaza
The Houthi militia wants to end Israeli attacks in Gaza by shelling ships. Eyewitnesses reported violent clashes between Israeli soldiers and Hamas fighters in western Khan Yunis on Monday. The city, located in the south of the closed coastal strip, is considered a Hamas stronghold. The fighting was said to have taken place in the immediate vicinity of two hospitals and in tent cities for refugees from northern Gaza. The Palestinian aid organization Red Crescent spoke of dozens of deaths and injuries.
According to Israeli media reports, the army confirmed that it had made a major advance into the west of Khan Yunis into an area it had not been before. The operation may take several days. The goal is to render Khan Yunis’ Hamas brigade unable to fight. Fifty Hamas fighters have been killed so far. The army said three soldiers were killed on the Israeli side. The war was sparked by the worst massacre in Israel’s history, which Hamas terrorists and other extremist groups carried out in southern Israel on October 7.
Report: Israel’s offer does not end war
On the Israeli side, 1,200 people were killed, most of whom were civilians. Israel responded with massive air strikes and a ground offensive. More than 25,200 people have been killed so far, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. This number, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, is difficult to independently verify.
Israel has now submitted an offer for a two-month ceasefire to mediators from Egypt and Qatar, the news portal ‘Axios’ reported on Monday evening, citing two Israeli officials. According to the report, the offer does not mean Israel ending the war; instead, the military would simply withdraw from population centers. The Palestinians who fled to the south of the Gaza Strip on the orders of the Israeli army could return to the north. It would be Israel’s most far-reaching offer of its kind yet.
During a week-long ceasefire in late November, Hamas released 105 hostages. In return, Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners from prisons. Since then, the Israeli government has shown little willingness to make concessions for further hostage releases. According to the Israeli government, the terrorists are currently holding 136 people, 25 of whom are probably no longer alive. With the death of each hostage, criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu is growing.
Arab states are working on a peace plan
Hamas had previously linked the release of new hostages to an end to the war. To achieve this, Arab countries are working on a proposal in which Saudi Arabia would offer recognition of Israel in exchange for the creation of a Palestinian state, according to the Wall Street Journal. The details are still being worked out, but so far Israel’s attitude has been negative. Only this weekend did Netanyahu make it clear that he is still against a two-state solution after the end of the Gaza war.
EU criticizes Netanyahu
The Israeli head of government was criticized for this attitude during a meeting of experts in European foreign policy in Brussels on Monday. In addition to the US, Germany and the EU are also increasing pressure on opponents of a two-state solution. “All those who do not want to know about it have not yet come up with another alternative,” criticized Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during the meeting with her EU colleagues on Monday. Not only Israel, but also the Islamist Hamas rejects a two-state solution, according to which an independent, democratic and demilitarized Palestinian state should coexist peacefully with Israel. Hamas is instead trying to destroy the State of Israel.
The US imposes sanctions on Hamas supporters
The US government has now imposed further sanctions on financial supporters of Hamas. The State Department and the Treasury Department in Washington announced Monday that the punitive measures targeted several people and entities that had arranged money transfers in the Gaza Strip, including from Iran to Hamas. This also includes transactions using cryptocurrencies from the Revolutionary Guards, the elite unit of the Iranian armed forces, to Hamas.
What will be important on Tuesday
Aid organizations want to speak out in Geneva about the ongoing catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The UN Security Council plans to meet tonight. Meanwhile, tensions continue to persist in the Red Sea following the renewed military push by the US and allies against the Houthi militia. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
