Palestinian fighters carried out the deadliest attack against Israeli forces in Loop since the start of the war and killed 21 soldiers, the Israeli army reported Tuesday. This is a significant setback that could add to growing calls for a ceasefire.
Hours later, the Israeli army announced that ground forces had surrounded the southern city of Khan Younis, the second largest in Gaza, and thick black smoke could be seen rising over the city, as thousands of Palestinians fled towards the south.
Witnesses claimed that Israeli tanks and troops had also entered Muwasi, a nearby coastal area that the Israeli military had previously declared a safe zone for Palestinians.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the deaths of the Israeli soldiers, who died when a rocket-propelled grenade explosion set off explosives they were setting to blow up buildings. But he vowed to press ahead until “absolute victory,” which would include ending Hamas and freeing the more than 100 Israeli hostages still held by the militants.
Israelis are increasingly questioning whether it is possible to achieve these war goals.
Following the Hamas attack on October 7, Israelis put aside their political differences and closed ranks in support of the war. More than 100 days later, divisions are emerging again and anger is growing over Netanyahu’s handling of the war. The hostages’ families have called on Israel to reach a deal with Hamas, arguing that time is running out to bring their relatives home alive.
A senior Egyptian official stated that Israel has proposed a two-month ceasefire in which hostages would be released in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and Hamas’ top leaders in Gaza would be allowed to move to other countries.
The official, who was not authorized to brief the media and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Hamas rejected the proposal and insists that no more hostages will be released until Israel ends its offensive and withdraws from Gaza. The Israeli government declined to comment on the talks.
Egypt and Qatar —that have mediated previous agreements between Israel and Hamas — were putting together a multi-stage proposal to try to bridge the differences, the official said.
Source: Gestion
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