Latest Developments on Humanitarian Crisis and Ceasefire Efforts in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with reports of a man-made famine, rising death tolls, and a failing aid system. As the crisis deepens, diplomatic efforts are underway to secure a lasting ceasefire, but the outcome remains uncertain.
As far as humanitarian crisis and health concerns, the death toll in Gaza is nearing 62,000, with at least seven more Palestinians dying from starvation, according to reports from the Gaza Health Ministry. The United Nations considers these figures reliable. The Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa, has accused Israel of using the Rafah crossing as a “tool of siege,” closing the vital gateway and systematically targeting civilians waiting for aid. Amnesty International has further intensified these claims, accusing Israel of a “deliberate policy” of starvation and of inflicting conditions “calculated to bring about their physical destruction.”
In addition to starvation, a severe heat wave has led to a sharp rise in skin diseases, adding to the health crisis. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes.
In terms of ceasefire negotiations, a Hamas source told AFP that the group has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal from mediators, which include Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. The proposal reportedly includes an initial 60-day truce and the release of hostages in two batches. In the first phase, 10 live Israeli hostages would be released along with a number of bodies. The remaining captives would be released in a second phase, followed by immediate negotiations for a permanent end to the war with international guarantees.
There has been no immediate public response from the Israeli government regarding the Hamas announcement. Of the 251 hostages originally taken, 49 are still believed to be held in Gaza, with the Israeli military saying 27 are dead. The conflict, which was triggered by Hamas’s attack that killed 1,219 people, has been ongoing for over 22 months.
As for diplomatic and political developments, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, during a visit to the Rafah border crossing, stated that his government would soon announce a temporary committee to administer Gaza. He emphasized that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is the only body authorized to manage the enclave, which he said remains an “inseparable part of Palestine.” He also confirmed preparations for an international reconstruction conference in Cairo, with Saudi Arabia and France leading efforts to revive the two-state solution. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has also rejected displacement, settlement expansion, and the “illusions of Greater Israel.”
