CNN
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Hamas Evaluates U.S. Ceasefire Proposal Amid Renewed Conflict
Hamas has announced that it is contemplating a recent U.S. ceasefire plan for Gaza and remains “fully engaged” in the ongoing mediation efforts, despite Israel committing to enhance its military operations in Gaza to compel the militants to free hostages.
The fragile ceasefire that had been in place for two months collapsed on Tuesday when Israel resumed its bombardments of Gaza, ending a period during which numerous hostages were swapped for Palestinian prisoners.
In a statement issued on Friday, Hamas indicated that it was still reviewing a proposal from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who proposed extending the current ceasefire and hostage agreement until early April.
Hamas is insisting on adhering to a timeline previously agreed upon with Israel and the U.S. for a transition to the next phase of the ceasefire, which requires Israel to commit to stopping the war. However, Israel has expressed a preference to extend the existing phase instead.
Khaled Meshaal, a prominent Hamas official, accused Israel of trying to manipulate the Witkoff plan to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages from the first phase of the agreement without fulfilling the commitments of the second phase that entail achieving a lasting peace and withdrawing from Gaza.
Israeli military operations have resulted in nearly 600 deaths and over a thousand injuries in Gaza since the fighting escalated again. Although Hamas launched rockets into Israel for the first time since the truce ended, no casualties were reported.
UNICEF has stated that the number of children killed in the most recent attacks was one of the highest single-day tolls in the past year. Concurrently, the Israeli military confirmed that it commenced a ground operation in Rafah, with local authorities reporting over 100 civilian fatalities – predominantly women and children – due to Israeli strikes.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to occupy additional territories in Gaza and evacuate residents until all hostages are released. Katz asserted that Israel’s territorial acquisition would become “permanent” as a means to secure Israeli communities and military personnel against threats.
