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07-01-2025
GAZA STRIP: Hamas and Israel are wrangling over the details of a potential ceasefire agreement, with the Palestinian group telling Reuters it has approved a list of 34 captives presented by Israeli authorities to be released as part of the first phase of that deal. Israel has denied that claim.
Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza, killing at least four Palestinians in Rafah and three more in Bureij in air attacks launched in recent hours. The killings follow three days of intense bombardment that killed more than 200 Palestinians.
Meanwhile, an eighth Palestinian baby has died of hypothermia in the Gaza Strip, where families are enduring a harsh winter as Israel continues to restrict the entry of humanitarian supplies.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 45,805 Palestinians and wounded 109,064 since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive.
As we’ve been reporting, Netanyahu’s office has denied a media report that said Hamas has approved a list of 34 captives presented by Israel to be exchanged in a possible ceasefire deal.
It issued a statement earlier on Sunday afternoon that said, “As of now, Hamas has not given a list of hostages.”
Media is now reporting that a Hamas official has provided the agency with a copy of the list showing the names of 34 hostages the Palestinian group has agreed to set free in the first phase of a possible ceasefire deal with Israel.
It all depends on what Trump wants.
There is now about 15 days until Trump takes office. Will Netanyahu want to give this deal to the outgoing administration of Biden or wait and see what happens when Trump comes in?
There is an issue with that, however.
Trump warned just a few weeks ago that if there is no ceasefire when he takes office, then hell is going to be unleashed. So, who is he warning? Is it Netanyahu? Unlikely. Hamas? Very likely.
Are they going to give up what they’ve been seeking? Especially the issue of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
Because right now, at the time that Hamas releases the captives it’s holding, there is no guarantee that this war will end. And that’s why Hamas wants a clear commitment from Israel.
Relief International says al-Awda Hospital in North Gaza has become the last partially functioning medical facility in North Gaza after heavy bombardment of the nearby Indonesian Hospital rendered services there “impossible”.
Al-Awda, however, is also under an Israeli evacuation order and the hospital has come under attack in the past two days, including assaults that destroyed its fuel tank and its last generator, the aid group said.
Relief International, which provides support to al-Awda, said there are currently 63 staff and 34 patients inside the hospital.
“The facility has no electricity but continues to receive patients, providing the best possible treatment with no fuel, and a severe shortage of medication and medical supplies. Staff are terrified and awaiting clearance for the safe evacuation of patients to Gaza city,” it added.
The group’s CEO, Craig Redmond, called on Israel to end the targeting of civilians, health staff and health infrastructure.
“We are very distressed about the situation facing patients and health staff at Al Awda’s hospital in Jabalia. Right now, it is critical that they are granted safe passage to evacuate and leave the facility,” he said. (Int’l News Desk)
