Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeats his demands for Hamas to be disarmed and its leader to leave Gaza.
Israel’s bombardment on the Gaza Strip continues on the first day of Muslim Eid Holiday, killing dozens of people as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shows no signs of pressure on Hamas in the new round of the ceasefire.
Several air raids struck tents and homes early on Sunday as Palestinians celebrated the Eid Al Fitr Holiday, marking the end of the Muslim fasting month in Ramadan. At least 35 people have been killed in the southern cities of Rafa and Khan Yunis, medical sources told Al Jazeera.
Sunday’s murder occurs as the Palestinian Red Crescent Association (PRCS) recovered the bodies of 15 medical workers in Rafa who were exposed to severe Israeli fires last week. Sanad, a agency confirming the facts of Al Jazeera, has obtained exclusive satellite images showing that at least five rescue vehicles were destroyed by Israeli forces in its fatal attack.
“[This] The PRCS said in a statement that Israeli forces targeting healthcare workers are “just considered a war crime.”
Amidst the violence, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip continues to deteriorate as Israel ceased to provide assistance to Gaza since early March.
“Palestinians are supposed to break their fast with a very nice meal [for Eid]however, today they can’t secure one meal – it’s devastating and the situation in Gaza,” said Hind Khoudary of Al Jazeera, reporting from Deir El-Balah.
The food on the strip is scarce and very expensive, and parents say it’s “unsuccessful” to feed their family, Khoudary said.
Meanwhile, the outlook for a breakthrough in the ceasefire talks seems to be far away.
On Sunday, Netanyahu repeatedly demanded Hamas be disarmed and its leader left Gaza, but promised to put pressure on the group to release the 59 prisoners of war held by the group.
These are part of a new set of requests proposed by Israel, set to amend the terms of the three-stage ceasefire agreement signed in January.
According to the original contract, following the release of the first batch of prisoners of war each week, the parties agreed to enter into a second phase of negotiations to discuss the enduring end of the war, the release of the remaining prisoners, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
However, Israel argues that Hamas should release all prisoners without Israel committing to end the war. As Hamas refused the new request, Israel bombed the strip and moved its troops into the enclave.
On Sunday, Netanyahu also said Israel would work to implement Trump’s “voluntary immigration program” for Gaza, and that his cabinet agreed to continue pressure on Hamas.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuri said Netanyahu’s comments were a recipe for “endless escalation” in the region.
Netanyahu rejected the allegation that Israel was not negotiating, saying, “We do it under fire, so that’s effective too.”
“We can see that there is a sudden crack,” he said in a video statement issued Sunday.
Gaza Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said the group agreed to the proposal that it said it included the release of five Israeli prisoners of war each week. But he said he would lay his arms down, as Israel demanded that the group was a “red line” that would not cross.
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