On 26 March 2024, reports emerged that displaced Palestinians were killed in an overnight Israeli air strike on a building in Rafah. Israel blamed Hamas for rejecting a current proposal for a Gaza truce deal, citing the damage caused by a recent UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel would not give in to what they called Hamas’s “delusional demands”, which included an end to the war and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. The US criticized Israel’s statement, calling it inaccurate in almost every respect.
Hamas’s response to the proposal was prepared before the Security Council vote, according to US State Department spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, who confirmed the elimination of Hamas leader Marwan Issa in the air strike. Hamas political official Izzat al-Rishq expressed doubt in Israel’s claim, stating that the group’s military leadership would have the final say.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a high number of casualties, with over 32,400 people killed, including 81 in the past 24 hours. The Security Council’s resolution called for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of hostages, but Israel was unhappy with the outcome and canceled a planned visit by an Israeli delegation to Washington.
The US abstained from condemning Hamas for recent attacks and warned against a full-scale Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, which could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. Hamas rejected a truce plan put forward by US, Qatar, and Egyptian mediators, sticking to their original demands for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
While negotiations are ongoing at a technical level, Israeli officials have reportedly recalled their negotiating team from Qatar after 10 days of talks. The conflict shows no signs of slowing down, with Israeli air strikes continuing to target Gaza, resulting in dozens of Palestinian casualties.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of civilians being killed while attempting to collect aid that was airdropped over northern Gaza. Tragic incidents of drowning and stampedes have occurred during aid distributions, highlighting the desperate need for humanitarian assistance in the region. The ongoing conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis, with innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
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