On June 11, 2024, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) submitted their response to a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal, which includes a prisoner exchange. Qatari and Egyptian mediators have received this response and will review it. Hamas indicated they are willing to engage positively with the plan, with a primary focus on halting Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Israeli forces have largely cut off the flow of food, medicine, and other supplies, leading to widespread hunger and the threat of famine. The Health Ministry of Gaza reports that more than 37,100 people have been killed since the beginning of the Israeli offensive. UN agencies warn that over one million people could face the highest level of starvation by mid-July.
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan stated that the group had submitted remarks on the proposal to the mediators, stressing that any agreement must end Israeli aggression, withdraw Israeli forces, reconstruct Gaza, and ensure a serious prisoner swap. The Qatari and Egyptian foreign ministries confirmed they are examining the response and will continue mediation efforts along with the United States.
US National Security Spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that the US is also evaluating the Hamas response. Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan reported that Hamas and PIJ’s amendments include a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, including the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor. This proposal suggests that while Israel aims to dismantle Hamas both politically and militarily, Hamas may survive in some capacity.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is actively seeking to secure an agreement for the ceasefire plan and post-war reconstruction in Gaza. During his visit to the Middle East, Blinken met with Israeli officials to push for an end to the eight-month-old Israeli air and ground offensive that has devastated Gaza. He also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, a key mediator, in Cairo, before proceeding to Israel for further discussions.
Blinken announced $404 million in aid for Palestinians and urged other donors to increase their contributions. He also sought measures to prevent the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon from escalating. Blinken’s consultations included a meeting with former Israeli military chief Benny Gantz, who resigned from Israel’s war cabinet over dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict.
The international community, including the US, has expressed sharp criticism of the high death toll and humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli offensive. The UN Security Council approved the US-backed truce proposal, which aims for a ceasefire and phased release of captives in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israel, ultimately leading to a permanent end to the deadly assault.
Palestinians in Gaza reacted cautiously to the Security Council vote, skeptical about the ceasefire initiative. Meanwhile, the UN human rights office reported that both Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups might have committed war crimes during a recent deadly raid in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp.
As the conflict continues, the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens. On Tuesday, Israeli forces reportedly blew up a cluster of homes in Rafah and carried out an air strike in Gaza City, killing at least four people. The ongoing violence and blockade have exacerbated the suffering of Gaza’s population, highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief.
