Hamas Political Chief Blames Israel for Lack of Progress in Cease-Fire Agreement
In a recent statement, Ismail Haniyeh, the Qatar-based Hamas Political Chief, has placed the blame on Israel for the lack of progress in achieving a cease-fire agreement. Haniyeh emphasized that Hamas will not settle for anything less than a complete cessation of aggression, the withdrawal of the occupation army from Gaza, and the lifting of the unjust siege. He accused Israel of implementing a policy of starvation and insisted that it must be stopped. Additionally, Haniyeh stressed the importance of freeing Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences in any upcoming swap deal, stating that it is a crucial objective that cannot be overlooked.
The current situation in Gaza has attracted international attention, with CEOs from six international human rights organizations issuing an urgent joint statement. The statement warns of the catastrophic consequences that an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah could have. Organizations such as Oxfam, Amnesty International, ActionAid, War Child, the Danish Refugee Council, and Handicap International have signed the statement. They express their deep concern for the over 1.5 million people sheltering in Rafah, including more than half a million children. The organizations fear that if Israel proceeds with its proposed ground offensive, thousands more civilians will be killed, and humanitarian aid will come to a halt.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also weighed in on the conflict in Gaza. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Scholz called on Israel to abide by international law and urged them not to open a second front on their northern border with Lebanon. He emphasized the need to prevent Iran from exploiting the conflict to expand its influence.
Meanwhile, the IDF spokesperson has reported several developments in the region. The Israeli air force attacked a Syrian Army weapon arsenal in Daraa, Syria. In response to rocket launch posts firing at Golan Heights, Israeli artillery batteries fired at the posts, even though the rockets did not reach Israeli territory. The IDF also conducted air force strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah posts and resulting in the death of a member of the group. Additionally, IDF soldiers arrested around 100 terror suspects in the all-Nasser hospital compound in Khan Yunis, Gaza. The forces also identified and killed terrorists during their search in Khan Yunis and central Gaza.
In the Red Sea, the Houthis targeted the British oil ship Pollux with missiles. The United States has designated the Houthis as a terrorist organization, allowing for stricter measures against their access to the global financial system. However, the U.S. refrains from categorizing them as a Foreign Terror Organization due to concerns about complicating humanitarian aid transfers to the region.
On a different note, New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently issued an apology for remarks she made at a Jewish philanthropy event. Her comments, suggesting that Israel had justification to destroy Gaza following an attack, went viral on social media. Hochul expressed regret for her inappropriate analogy and acknowledged her poor choice of words. She clarified her support for Israel’s right to self-defense while emphasizing the importance of avoiding civilian casualties and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In a meeting with the Chinese foreign minister, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron urged China to use its influence to pressure Iran regarding Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Cameron highlighted the threat posed by Russia’s war in Ukraine to international rules and emphasized the UK’s stance on human rights issues in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
As tensions continue to escalate in Gaza, it is evident that achieving a cease-fire agreement remains a challenging task. The international community, human rights organizations, and world leaders are closely monitoring the situation, urging all parties involved to prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians while seeking a peaceful resolution.