Demonstration in Jerusalem - Family Members of Captives Urge Negotiation for a Resolution
Diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza are being made by the USA, Qatar, and Egypt, as a potential Israeli military offensive looms. The current mediators, which include Qatar - a key intermediary between Israel and Hamas - and the US, are expected to present a new proposal for a Gaza conflict agreement this week.
The proposal, if accepted, would include a 60-day ceasefire, during which ten live hostages would initially be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has insisted on a comprehensive deal in which all hostages are released at once.
The conflict has been a subject of criticism, with critics accusing Netanyahu of unnecessarily prolonging the war. The Forum of Families of Hostages Held in Gaza has called on the Netanyahu government to accept the current proposal and immediately begin negotiations for the return of all hostages. Thousands of people have gathered outside Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, demanding a deal with Hamas.
Hamas, for its part, has shown support for the mediators' proposal for a ceasefire. The terrorist organisation, which has been accused of abducting Israeli citizens, including Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, is open to ideas and proposals that lead to a lasting ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
However, Netanyahu wants Israel to retain security control over the Gaza Strip, while Hamas demands the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops. The families of the abducted hostages fear that the planned military takeover of Gaza city will endanger the lives of those taken hostage.
Recently, Hamas published a video showing Gilboa-Dalal, sitting in a car, saying he is in the city of Gaza. The circumstances under which the video was recorded and whether the man spoke of his own free will or under duress were initially unclear. Channel 12 reports that Gilboa-Dalal and Ohel, who also holds German citizenship, were taken to Gaza ahead of the planned takeover of the city.
The Forum of Hostage Families has criticised Netanyahu's political survival instinct, stating it should not be prioritized over the necessity of bringing back all hostages and preventing unnecessary deaths. The Forum has also criticised Netanyahu for demanding the surrender and disarmament of Hamas, which Hamas has rejected.
Israel's army has declared a coastal area in southern Gaza, Al-Mawasi near Khan Yunis, a humanitarian zone, containing essential humanitarian infrastructure such as field hospitals, water pipelines, and desalination plants. The residents have been urged to move to the area before the expected major offensive in the city.
As the world watches, the diplomatic efforts continue, with the hope that a peaceful resolution can be found and the hostages can be safely returned to their families. The footage of Gilboa-Dalal, if authentic, serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of this conflict and the urgent need for a resolution.
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