GAZA: The US said on Wednesday (March 6) that talks on a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza could still reach a deal between Hamas and Israel as the humanitarian crisis in the region prompted South Africa to ask the World Court for new emergency measures.
Negotiators from Hamas militants, Qatar and Egypt – except Israel – are trying to secure a 40-day ceasefire in time for Ramadan, which starts early next week.
Despite speculation that talks were deadlocked, the US said on Wednesday that a ceasefire deal was still possible.
“We continue to believe that the obstacles are insurmountable and a deal can be achieved… so we will continue to push for a deal,” said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in Washington.
But South Africa, which in January brought a case at the World Court in The Hague accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, on Wednesday asked the court to order new emergency measures, including a cessation of hostilities as Palestinian civilians face starvation.
“The threat of severe famine has now materialized. The judiciary needs to act now to stop the tragedy that is about to occur,” South Africa’s presidency said in a statement.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said that two Palestinians, aged 15 and 72, died of dehydration and malnutrition at Al Shifa and Kamal Adwan hospitals on Wednesday, raising the number of such deaths in just over a week to 20. Reuters could not verify the death.
Concerns are also growing that the Gaza conflict could spread across the Middle East, especially after a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by Iran-aligned Houthi forces acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.
In the latest attack, at least three sailors were killed in a Houthi attack on a Greek cargo ship, US military officials said, the first deaths reported since the Yemeni group began attacks on shipping in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes.
The US State Department said it would continue to hold the Houthis accountable for such attacks.
“SHOW FLEXIBILITY”
Hamas pledged to continue taking part in the Cairo talks, but officials in the militant group said a ceasefire must be implemented before the hostages are released, Israeli troops must leave Gaza, and all Gazans who have fled must be able to return to their homes.
“We demonstrated the flexibility needed to achieve a comprehensive cessation of aggression against our people, but the (Israeli) occupation still evades the rights under this agreement,” Hamas said in a statement.
A source previously said that Israel was not taking part in the negotiations in Cairo because Hamas refused to provide a list of surviving hostages. Hamas says this is impossible without a ceasefire because the hostages are spread across the war zone.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said that the group had submitted its own draft deal and was waiting for a response from Israel, and that “the decision is now in America’s hands”.
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday said that his ally Israel was cooperating and urged Hamas to accept the “rational offer” made by Israel.
Israeli forces, who began their assault on Gaza after Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7, have continued to bombard the Palestinian territory since talks began in Cairo on Sunday, while the dire humanitarian situation in the densely populated coastal strip continues to worsen.
“Every day dozens of us die. We want a ceasefire now,” Shaban Abdel-Raouf, a Palestinian electrician and father of five from Gaza City, now in southern Khan Younis, told Reuters via a chat app.
Health officials in Gaza say the number of people confirmed killed in the Israeli offensive has now passed 30,700. There were 86 deaths reported in the last 24 hours and witnesses said that Israeli bombardment continued in Khan Younis, the southern city of Rafah, and areas in central Gaza.
NEED MORE HELP
The US and UK on Wednesday repeated calls for increased aid to Gaza. Washington has urged Israel to reopen border crossings in northern Gaza to get more aid there.
About 250 aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday, the US and Israel said. Miller added: “We need to see more coming in.”
However, Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy confirmed that Israel was not imposing aid restrictions and was facilitating increased shipments of food, medicine and other supplies, blaming the UN on poor distribution in Gaza.
“We are working with the private sector, working together on air support as well,” Levy said. “Send the help, we will receive it.”
The Biden administration is facing increasing calls from fellow Democrats to increase pressure on Israel to ease the humanitarian crisis, with some saying it may try to cut off military aid if conditions for civilians do not improve.
The deal presented to Hamas aims to secure the release of several hostages it still holds after the Oct. 7 attack, in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 253 kidnapped. Palestinian prisoners held in Israel will also be released.
