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Rabat – Qatar is reportedly stepping up efforts to secure a ceasefire to end Israeli occupation forces’ merciless shelling of infrastructure and civilians across Gaza since October 7.
AFP quoted a source speaking on a condition of anonymity as saying that “negotiations mediated by the Qataris in coordination with the US are ongoing to secure the release of 10-15 hostages in exchange for a one-to- two day ceasefire.”
Qatar has been directly, notably involved in mediation efforts to help with the release of hostages held by Hamas, the Palestinian resistance movement that runs the Gaza Strip.
The negotiations helped secure the release of four captives, who publicly denied reports that they had been abused by the Palestinian militant group.
Read Also: Blinken Asked Qatar To ‘Tone Down’ Al Jazeera Coverage of Israeli Aggression in Gaza
It remains to be seen whether Israel will agree on a ceasefire as it has been intensifying its indiscriminate airstrikes and murderous ground operations in Gaza – targeting civilians at residential areas, shelters, schools, hospitals, as well as places of worship.
Since October 7, Israel has massacred at least 10,500 people, including more than 4,300 children, the Palestinian Health Ministry said today, noting that the ongoing Israeli aggression has injured more than 26,000 Palestinians.
Israel and its international supporters – mainly the US – have dismissed calls for a ceasefire, claiming that this would only serve Hamas.
This has fueled frustration among Palestinian advocates and the United Nations, which has urged the international community to intervene to stop the unfolding genocide in Gaza.
As well as lamenting and raising global awareness about the dire healthcare situation in the war-torn Palestinian enclave, the UN has also strongly condemned the lack of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, food, and water in Gaza.
“No bakeries are functioning in the north because of a lack of fuel, water and flour and no food or bottled water has been distributed there in a week,” the UN quoted its Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA) as saying on Wednesday.
According to the UN, the few hospitals that have survived the relentless and merciless Israeli bombardment of Gaza have run out of fuel, but have continued to perform life-saving surgeries without using anesthesia.
