Hamas consulting other Palestinian groups on Gaza truce proposal
GAZA CITY : Hamas said today it was holding consultations with other Palestinian movements on a truce proposal in the war with Israel, in a possible sign that it was preparing for negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The statement came ahead of a visit on Monday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, where President Donald Trump is pushing for an end to the war.
The conflict in Gaza began with Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, which sparked a massive Israeli offensive aimed at destroying Hamas and bringing home all the hostages seized by militants.
Two previous ceasefires mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US have seen a temporary halt in fighting, coupled with the return of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
'The movement is conducting consultations with leaders of Palestinian forces and factions regarding the proposal received… from the mediators,' Hamas said in a statement early today.
Hours earlier, Netanyahu vowed to bring home all the hostages held by rebels in Gaza, after coming under massive domestic pressure including from the hostages' loved ones over their fate.
'I feel a deep commitment, first and foremost, to ensure the return of all our abductees, all of them,' Netanyahu told inhabitants of the Nir Oz kibbutz, the community that saw the most hostages seized in the 2023 Hamas attack.
Trump yesterday said he wanted 'safety' for people in Gaza, as he prepared to host his ally.
'I want to see safety for the people of Gaza. They've gone through hell,' he said.
60-day truce proposal
A Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations told AFP earlier this week that there were no fundamental changes in the new proposal under discussion compared to previous terms presented by the US.
The source said the new proposal 'includes a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release half of the living Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip, in exchange for Israel releasing a number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees'.
Earlier this week, Israel's top diplomat Gideon Saar said any chance to free the hostages 'must not be missed', after Trump urged Hamas to agree to a 60-day ceasefire that he said had Israel's backing.
Nearly 21 months of war have created dire humanitarian conditions for the more than 2 million people in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has recently expanded its military operations against Hamas fighters.
Out of 251 hostages seized by Palestinian gunmen during the Oct 7 attack, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
Today, Gaza's civil defence agency said that overnight Israeli strikes killed at least 15 people.
Civil defence official Mohammad al-Mughayyir told AFP that seven people, including a child, were killed in an Israeli air strike on displaced people's tents near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.
Mughayyir said eight more people were killed in two other strikes on tent encampments on the coast of Khan Younis, including one that killed two children early today.
Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military said it could not comment on specific attacks without precise coordinates, but noted it was 'operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities'.
Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence.
Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in response to the Oct 7, 2023 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 57,130 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run territory's health ministry.
The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BusinessToday
an hour ago
- BusinessToday
Trump Administration Moves To Curb AI Chip Exports To Malaysia, Thailand
The Trump administration is drafting new export controls that would restrict shipments of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips from companies like Nvidia Corp to Malaysia and Thailand, in a renewed effort to curb alleged smuggling of semiconductors into China, according to sources familiar with the matter. Bloomberg reported that the draft rule, still under review by the Commerce Department, is aimed at closing loopholes that US officials believe may be allowing restricted chips to reach China via intermediaries in Southeast Asia. The move builds on earlier Biden-era restrictions but reflects a broader push by the Trump administration to tighten control over the flow of critical technology. Under the proposed measure, US chipmakers would face new licensing requirements to export AI processors to the two countries. However, the rule is expected to include temporary exemptions and carveouts for companies based in the US and allied nations, as well as safeguards to avoid disrupting semiconductor supply chains, particularly in chip packaging and assembly, where Southeast Asia plays a vital role. The crackdown comes amid a sharp increase in AI chip shipments to Malaysia and growing US concerns over data centre projects in the region, including those backed by Oracle Corp. Prosecutors in neighbouring Singapore have also charged individuals over alleged misrepresentation of chip destinations, with AI servers possibly rerouted from Singapore to Malaysia. Nvidia, while not implicated, is at the centre of these efforts given its dominance in the AI chip market. Though US allies and tech firms have pushed back on some aspects of the previous AI diffusion rules, Washington appears determined to preserve and strengthen chip curbs targeting China. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently testified that AI chips could still be sold to allies but only if deployed via US-approved cloud and data centre operators. Malaysia and Thailand have not publicly responded to the draft rule. Nvidia declined to comment. If implemented, the regulation would mark the Trump administration's first formal step in reshaping US AI export policy, one that could have wide-ranging implications for Southeast Asia's growing role in the global semiconductor ecosystem. Related
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
What is happening in Gaza is a collapse of conscience, says PM Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the situation in Gaza as 'a collapse of conscience, empathy, leadership, and the ability to distinguish suffering from strategy'. He said the destruction of schools, the collapse of hospitals and the erasure of entire families reflect a deep failure to recognise shared humanity. 'When we fail to acknowledge the humanity in others, we risk losing our own. 'The statistics are not mere numbers, for each represents a human story, of mothers, children, and parents. Their experiences should evoke not just sympathy but a call to action in each of us,' he said during his lecture at Sorbonne University, Paris yesterday. Anwar said the international community speaks of human rights and democracy and the imperative to protect the sanctity of life, yet the global community appears to be powerless to put an end to this protracted genocide. While welcoming the verdicts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), Anwar said they are treated with 'utter contempt and impunity by the perpetrators'. 'There are no two ways about this: it is incumbent on leaders of the world to speak with greater moral clarity on this issue, and to act with firmer resolve to end this mayhem and killing. 'Yes, we see the flickers of hope emanating from the recent efforts and actions of students and faculty members in colleges and universities as well as civil society organisations around the world. In their condemnation of the genocide, and their calling for an end to this brutal violence, we find hope and comfort but we need more. 'In this vein, we need to continue to call for global solidarity, advocacy, and the relentless pursuit of justice,' he said. — Bernama
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia, France reaffirm call for Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian aid
PARIS: Malaysia and France on Friday reaffirmed their stand for a ceasefire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to get through. The call was made by French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a press conference at the Elysee Palace here. Macron said both he and Anwar agreed that a permanent ceasefire must take place in Gaza, adding that the release of hostages must also be implemented. The French President said a two-state solution is the best way to resolve the issue of Palestine-Israel. 'We are working with several parties, among them Saudi (Arabia), towards this. For now, Israel must allow for aid to reach Gaza,' he said. During the press conference held before their bilateral meeting, Anwar praised the President for his passion to try and resolve the conflict in Gaza. 'Of course, we have condemned the continued bombings and atrocities inflicted upon civilians, women and children. And it's a shame that the international community is not able to resolve this,' said Anwar. 'So your initiative was supported by us. No question about peace, and if it takes two sides to secure peace, I agree with you. That's why we have also committed to the two-state solution,' said the premier. Anwar also said Malaysia also condemns the Israeli aggression on Iran and will continue to support France's efforts to bring peace in the Middle East. 'I don't think we can deny the issue of the use of nuclear for peaceful means. Nuclear non-proliferation, proliferation, or even power, cannot be seen to be selective,' he said. 'If you say no to Iran, (and) you say yes to Israel, we have a problem; try and resolve that. But I agree with you, we must impress upon Iran to use this for peaceful methods and peaceful means and allow for inspection, which they have given a commitment,' he added. Macron also said Iran must unequivocally reaffirm its support for the Non-Proliferation Treaty and withdraw its law limiting cooperation with the IAEA. He said Iran must also agree to a deal that will necessarily lead to the end of uranium enrichment in Iran, while allowing the country to benefit from the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 'This has been the focus of my discussions with the Iranian President, as well as with Russian President Vladimir Putin and, just yesterday, with American President Donald Trump. I will continue talks in the coming days with other members of the Security Council. 'We also want an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. 'We condemn just as firmly the attacks on civilian populations. This war of aggression launched by Russia has consequences far beyond Europe — as we are now seeing with the deployment of North Korean soldiers on European soil,' he said.
