Iran Egypt proposes ceasefire in Gaza war
While the Gaza war continues unabated, international mediators are once again trying to achieve a ceasefire. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said at a press conference in Cairo that his country had proposed a two-day ceasefire during which four Israeli hostages would be exchanged for several Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli parliament is voting today on two controversial bills that would massively restrict the work of the UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The aim of the proposal is to classify UNRWA as a terrorist organization and prohibit authorities in Israel from having contact with the organization in future.
28.10.2024, 04:54
SDA
Criticism of planned UNRWA ban
Seven Western countries reacted with "deep concern" to the Israeli parliament's legislative plans. In a statement, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea "emphatically" called on the Israeli government to fulfill its international obligations, to leave UNRWA's prerogatives untouched and to allow humanitarian aid and basic supplies for the civilian population.
Israel has repeatedly made accusations against UNRWA in the past. According to these allegations, several of the organization's employees were involved in the massacre of 7 October 2023 and the organization as a whole was infiltrated by Hamas. In their statement, the ministers emphasized that UNRWA had taken steps to dispel the accusation of support for terrorist organizations by individual employees. Members of the Israeli government and the opposition, however, want to ban the aid organization's work on Israeli territory.
Egypt presents new proposal for Gaza deal
Meanwhile, efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza are continuing. The Egyptian proposal is intended as a preliminary stage for a permanent ceasefire and also includes the delivery of aid supplies to the Gaza Strip, said Egypt's president according to the state news website "Al-Ahram". According to Israeli media, Israel's negotiators presented the proposal to their own security cabinet last week.
Most of the ministers and all of the security chiefs present supported the idea, it was reported. However, the ultra-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the equally far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had spoken out against it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not put the proposal to a vote, it was further reported. Both ministers have repeatedly rejected concessions to the Islamist Hamas.
Israel's leadership is examining the possibility of a limited deal in order to restart talks on a comprehensive agreement, wrote the Times of Israel. They want to understand Hamas' decision-making process following the killing of its leader Jihia al-Sinwar almost two weeks ago. Since Sinwar's death, there has been increasing hope that an agreement could possibly be reached. Negotiations have been at a standstill for months.
Reports: Hamas demands immediate end to war
Arab media reports in Israel have stated that Hamas wants to present the negotiators with a comprehensive agreement on an immediate end to the war. This would include the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the immediate release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, according to reports.
According to the Times of Israel, the Egyptian proposal for an initial two-day ceasefire includes ten days of further negotiations following the release of the four hostages. The initiative coincides with the newly launched indirect negotiations on a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages and prisoners in the Gulf emirate of Qatar. Egypt is one of the mediators in the talks alongside the USA and Qatar.
War in Lebanon continues
Meanwhile, Israel's war against the Hamas-allied Hezbollah militia in Lebanon continues. According to local authorities, at least 21 people were killed in Israeli air strikes in the south of the neighboring country during the course of the day. Since the outbreak of fighting between the Iranian-backed militia and the Israeli military more than a year ago, a total of at least 2,672 people have been killed and 12,468 others wounded, according to the Ministry of Health in Beirut.
The number of rescue workers and employees in the health sector killed in Israeli attacks has risen to 168, it said. 275 other rescuers and employees have been injured. The figures cannot be independently verified.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah continued its shelling of Israel. Over the course of the day, around 90 shells were fired by the militia at the Jewish state, the Israeli army announced late in the evening. This information could not be verified at first either.
Israeli army: Only part of our potential used in Iran
Israel's military claims to have used only a small part of its capabilities in the latest attack on targets in Iran. "We can do much more," said Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi at a briefing at military headquarters in Tel Aviv. "We directed strikes at strategic systems in Iran and we are prepared for all scenarios in all theaters," he was quoted as saying in a statement from the Israel Defense Forces.
Israel had attacked air defense systems, military bases and missile factories in several areas of Iran in several waves on Saturday. The retaliatory strike was in response to an Iranian attack on October 1, in which Israel was targeted with around 200 ballistic missiles. "Our message is very, very clear," said Halevi. Israel will confront any threat wherever and whenever it appears.
