“Israeli” aggression enters 251st day

The Israeli occupation's aggression on Gaza has entered its 251st consecutive day, continuing to commit massacres and acts of genocide against civilians; with the death toll reaching 37,202 martyrs and 84,932 injuries since Oct. 7, 2023 – according to the latest numbers released Wednesday by the Gaza Minsitry of Health.

In a visit to Qatar yesterday as part of a regional tour, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US will present "concrete ideas" on post-war Gaza, as negotiations are currently underway between “Israel” and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking from Qatar in the last stop of his tour, Blinken said the United States will present “key elements of the day-after planning including concrete ideas for how to manage governance, security, reconstruction in the coming weeks.”

Blinken said the proposals would cover how to handle governance, security and reconstruction.

Hamas’ response to the latest ceasefire proposal, which it submitted to the mediators on Tuesday includes amendments, which include a complete withdrawal of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) from the Gaza Strip, including the Rafah Border Crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor.

In response, Blinken said Hamas could have given a “clear and simple yes” but still voiced hope that the deal could be concluded by closing certain gaps.

“We believe that some of the requested changes are workable and some are not,” Blinken told reporters in Doha.

“And so we have to see on an urgent basis over the course of the coming days whether those gaps are bridgeable,” he added.

“We’re determined to try to bridge the gaps. And I believe those gaps are bridgeable…“That doesn’t mean they will be bridged because, ultimately, Hamas has to decide.”

In a recent interview with Al-Araby, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan responded to remarks made by Blinken, stating that his comments indicate he is part of the problem rather than the solution.

Hamdan explained that the US administration aligns with “Israel” in avoiding any commitment to a proposal for a permanent ceasefire. He emphasized that Hamas informed mediators that the Israeli Occupation is the one rejecting ceasefire proposals.

Hamdan also called on mediators to provide guarantees to prevent “Israel” from dodging its responsibilities.