On Day 124 of the War on the Gaza Strip, clashes between Palestinian resistance and Israeli occupation forces continue, with anticipation surrounding the proposed ceasefire following Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) handing its response to the mediators, awaiting Israel’s stance on it.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that Israeli occupation forces have committed 16 massacres against families in the Strip, resulting in 123 martyrs and 169 wounded in the past 24 hours.
This brings the total number of martyrs in the Strip to 27,708, and the number of wounded to 67,147.
Hamas Responds to Ceasefire Framework Proposal
Al Jazeera obtained details of Hamas’ response to the ceasefire framework proposal in Gaza, presented to the mediators on Wednesday.
Sources indicated that the movement agreed to a framework for reaching a comprehensive and sustainable truce in 3 stages, each lasting 45 days, including agreement on prisoner exchange, bodies of the deceased, ending the blockade, and reconstruction.
Hamas demanded that the complete ceasefire talks be concluded before the start of the second stage, ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces outside the Strip and commencing the reconstruction process.
Netanyahu: No Commitment to Hamas Proposal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that complete victory in Gaza is within reach and affirmed that his government did not commit to any promises regarding the deal proposed by Hamas to halt the ceasefire, emphasizing that negotiations are ongoing.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to continuing the war until Hamas is eliminated, noting that achieving Israeli objectives in this war will take months, not years.
He informed American Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Israel is on the verge of achieving “complete victory” over Hamas, claiming that achieving “victory” in Gaza will take months, not years.
Resistance Inflicts Losses on Occupation Forces
The Gaza Strip witnessed intense clashes between the resistance and Israeli occupation forces in the western neighborhoods of Gaza City and Khan Yunis.
Al-Qassam Brigades reported successfully targeting a special Israeli force of 10 soldiers holed up inside a house west of Khan Yunis, resulting in the deaths and injuries of several Israeli soldiers.
Israel Plans to Extend Military Service
The Israeli occupation army announced on Wednesday its intention to extend military service in the future to increase the number of reservists, as reported by Israeli media outlets.
In response to the announcement, Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of the “Our Home Israel” party, stated that the deployment of the conscription bill is a “message that divides the people and harms the soldiers and national security.”
Blinken Meets Abbas in the West Bank
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel today to take further steps to deliver aid to the war-torn Gaza Strip.
Blinken stated, “I visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt, and I believe there is a very positive future where Israel is integrated into the region, addressing its security concerns and fulfilling the aspirations of the Palestinian people.”
Following a meeting with Netanyahu and an extensive meeting involving Israeli security and military officials, Blinken headed to the West Bank where he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.
Guterres: Attack on Rafah Will Have Serious Consequences
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world is entering a period of “chaos,” citing unprecedented divisions within the UN Security Council and cautioning of serious regional repercussions from a potential Israeli attack on the densely populated city of Rafah in southern Gaza.
Guterres expressed grave concern over reports indicating that the Israeli army intends to focus on Rafah in the next stage of its offensive in the Strip.
He warned that any ground attack on Rafah, bordering Egypt and hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians, would have “countless regional implications,” exacerbating an already humanitarian nightmare with immeasurable regional consequences.
The UN Secretary-General reiterated his call for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” and the release of all “hostages.”
UN Rapporteur to Al Jazeera: Gaza Facing Unprecedented Famine
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, stated that Israel has not complied with the International Court of Justice ruling to prevent potential “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Albanese noted that Israel ignored the ICJ’s order – issued late last month – to cease killing civilians, while emphasizing the need to take all measures to prevent genocide in Gaza.
She underscored that civilians are being killed daily in Gaza, a matter of great concern, highlighting that the famine experienced by Gaza’s residents is unparalleled worldwide.
Security Council Meeting
The UN Security Council convened on Wednesday at the request of Algeria to discuss the International Court of Justice decision calling on Israel to take action to prevent any potential “genocide” in Gaza.
The Algerian Foreign Ministry announced, in an earlier statement last week, that the meeting is held “to give binding force to the ICJ ruling regarding the provisional measures imposed on the Israeli occupation.”
Saudi Arabia: No Relations with Israel Unless Conditions Met
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless the Palestinian state is recognized, the Israeli aggression on Gaza ceases, and the occupation withdraws from the Strip.
In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry conveyed its consistent position to the US administration that “there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless the independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders is recognized, with its capital in East Jerusalem, the Israeli aggression on Gaza is halted, and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip.”
