Israeli Airstrikes and Biden's Ceasefire Roadmap for Gaza
Intensified Israeli bombardments continued to target various regions in the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, on Sunday, following an urgent plea from international mediators to finalize a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. This comes in the eighth month of the ongoing conflict initiated by a significant Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
In Gaza's southern region, Apache helicopters attacked Rafah's center, with bombings targeting the city's southern and western parts, which have become the epicenter of the war. According to witnesses and hospital sources, the air raids in northern Gaza City resulted in the deaths of three Palestinians, including a woman and a child. Strikes also hit Deir al-Balah and the Bureij and Nousseirat camps in central Gaza.
The Israeli army reported that in the last 24 hours, it had conducted 'targeted' operations in Rafah and central Gaza, striking 30 'terrorist targets' including arms depots and armed cells. Despite intense international appeals for a ceasefire, the conflict has claimed 36,379 lives in the densely populated Palestinian territory, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israeli casualties stand at 1,189, predominantly civilians.
Mediators including Qatar, the United States, and Egypt are urging both sides to finalize an agreement based on principles proposed by President Joe Biden, which aims to achieve a sustainable ceasefire in stages. Biden's roadmap outlines a six-week initial phase involving a comprehensive ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from populated Gaza areas, release of hostages—particularly women and the ill—and Palestinian prisoners.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains under intense pressure domestically, with far-right ministers threatening to leave his government if hostilities cease without decisively defeating Hamas. However, opposition leader Yair Lapid and President Isaac Herzog support concluding an agreement.
Hamas has responded 'positively' to Biden's proposal for a ceasefire, focusing on the complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. The movement has controlled Gaza since 2007 and is viewed as a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., and the EU.
The ongoing conflict has led to significant humanitarian challenges, with the UN warning of famine risks and noting that Gaza has no safe areas left. A crucial meeting concerning the Rafah crossing with Egypt, necessary for international aid entry, is scheduled for Sunday in Egypt with the participation of the U.S. and Israel.
- US President Joe Biden's speech detailed the stages of Israel's proposal: a comprehensive six-week ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and release of hostages and prisoners. The second phase would include sustained cessation of hostilities and further prisoner exchanges, with the third phase addressing post-war arrangements and Gaza's reconstruction.
- Biden emphasized the importance of the Israeli proposal, warning that rejection by Hamas would result in continued conflict. He highlighted potential regional integration and normalization with Saudi Arabia if the ceasefire succeeds.
