The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has stated that the announcement of a US-Israeli hostage release by Hamas will not result in a ceasefire in Gaza or the liberation of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
These remarks from Mr. Netanyahu came amid ongoing Israeli assaults, with Gaza’s civil defense agency reporting that at least ten individuals lost their lives due to an overnight airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons.
Negotiations aimed at potentially securing the release of all hostages in Gaza will persist “under fire, while preparations for an escalation of the conflict continue,” according to a statement released by Mr. Netanyahu’s office.
Hamas announced yesterday that it would free Edan Alexander, a US-Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza, while indicating that direct discussions with the United States regarding a ceasefire were underway in the war-torn region.
Mr. Netanyahu noted that the promise of Mr. Alexander’s release had come about through “military pressure” in Gaza.
“We are in critical days during which Hamas has been offered a deal that could allow for the release of our hostages,” he added.
Previously, two Hamas officials reported ongoing discussions taking place in Doha, Qatar, with the United States and indicated that “progress” had been achieved.
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Since 2 March, Israel has enforced a total blockade on Gaza, leaving its 2.3 million residents reliant on aid supplies that are rapidly dwindling.
Last week, the Red Cross warned that its humanitarian efforts in Gaza are nearing collapse, while its director-general emphasized the urgent need for governments to act to end the atrocities occurring there.
UNICEF has cautioned that children in Gaza face ‘an increasing risk of starvation.’
Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that at least ten individuals were killed in an overnight airstrike on a school housing displaced people, with at least 12 fatalities noted in Israeli strikes on the territory yesterday.
“At least 10 (dead), including several women and children, as well as dozens wounded, were transported following an Israeli airstrike on the Fatima Bint Asad school, which accommodates over 2,000 displaced persons in Jabalia,” stated Civil Defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal.
On 18 March, Israel effectively terminated the January ceasefire agreement and resumed its military operations in Gaza, a response to the 7 October 2023 attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Local health authorities in Gaza report that at least 2,720 individuals have been killed since Israel renewed its campaign, bringing the total death toll to 52,829 since the conflict commenced.
The attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023 led to the deaths of 1,218 individuals, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official data.
Simultaneously, Gaza militants are holding 58 hostages captured during Hamas’s 7 October 2023 assault on Israel, including 34 individuals that the Israeli military claims are deceased.
