“Israeli” aggression enters 242nd day

The “Israeli” aggression on Gaza has entered its 242st day, with the death toll rising to 36,479 and 82,777 injured – according to the latest numbers released Monday by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

John Kirby, the United States National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, stated that the “ball is now in Hamas' court” after President Biden's ceasefire proposal announced last Friday

Kirby emphasized the need for Hamas to accept the proposal, saying, "What we want now is for Hamas to accept the proposal. The ball is now in their court."

He clarified that the “day-after” plans of Gaza are not included in the current proposal, but efforts are ongoing to do so.

Kirby mentioned that the second phase would involve releasing the remaining "hostages" and then transitioning the temporary ceasefire into a permanent cessation of hostilities. He reaffirmed US support for "Israel's" right and responsibility to pursue Hamas leaders.

Yesterday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reiterated his country’s rejection of the “Israeli” presence in the Rafah Border Crossing in Gaza along the border with Egypt.

Egypt is currently awaiting “Israel’s” response to the proposed deal after the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said that it views it “positively” – per Shoukry.

“The Israeli military presence in Gaza is rejected by the majority of the international community,” he emphasized, adding that “what is happening in Gaza concerns us [Egypt], and Israel's practices violate the rules of international law.”

After “Israel” accused Egypt of closing the Rafah Border Crossing, Shoukry said that “it is difficult to operate the Rafah crossing without coordination with the Palestinian administration.”

“The continuation of the war has become unacceptable due to its grave consequences…Gaza has become uninhabitable without sufficient entry of humanitarian and medical aid,” Shoukry continued.

“[The war] affected freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and caused us economic damage.”

Shoukry warned “Israel” that its aggression against Gaza exposed Egypt to “risk and chaos” and might force Egypt to “resort to force instead of diplomatic means.”