In a significant escalation of tensions, Israel has blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza and carried out an airstrike on Sunday. This move comes as a standoff over a temporary ceasefire intensifies, disrupting the fragile truce that has paused fighting for the past six weeks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the adoption of a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff. The proposal calls for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during the Ramadan and Passover periods, following the expiration of the first phase of the previously agreed truce.
If accepted, the truce would halt hostilities until the end of Ramadan around March 31 and the Jewish Passover holiday around April 20. The ceasefire is contingent upon Hamas releasing half of the living and dead hostages on the first day, with the remaining hostages to be freed at the conclusion of the truce, provided a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached.
Ceasefire Phases
Hamas has expressed commitment to the originally agreed-upon ceasefire, which was slated to move into a second phase aimed at achieving a permanent end to the conflict. However, Hamas has rejected the idea of a temporary extension to the 42-day truce, emphasizing the need for lasting peace.
The delicate nature of the ceasefire deal was highlighted when local health officials reported that Israeli gunfire had killed four Palestinians in separate attacks in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli military stated that \"suspects\" were identified near its troops in northern Gaza who had planted a bomb, prompting an airstrike to \"eliminate the threat.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
