Qatar is mediating negotiations for the release of about 10 hostages held by the Palestinian armed group Hamas under a ceasefire condition, major foreign media reported on the 8th (local time).
An anonymous source said that Qatar is coordinating with the United States to mediate negotiations for the release of hostages between Israel and Hamas. A Hamas official stated, "Discussions are underway to release a total of 12 hostages, including six Americans, on the condition of a three-day humanitarian ceasefire."
Regarding the ceasefire conditions, he added, "This is a measure to help Hamas release the hostages and allow Egypt to continue humanitarian aid."
Russian local media such as TASS also reported, citing Egyptian state media Al Kahira News, that "Egypt is inclined toward a negotiation plan exchanging a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the release of hostages."
On the 7th (local time), a satellite shortwave infrared (SWIR) image capturing multiple ongoing fires in Gaza City. Vegetation is shown in blue, while active fires and hot spots are indicated in orange and yellow. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]
On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his previous stance, as reported by the local daily Times of Israel, saying, "Baseless rumors are heard everywhere," and "There will be no ceasefire unless our hostages are released."
Earlier, the U.S. political media Axios reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected U.S. President Joe Biden's proposal on the 6th to halt fighting for three days to secure the release of hostages. The media said that President Biden made a specific proposal for Hamas to release 10 to 15 hostages during the three days, verify the identities of all hostages, and then provide a list.
On the 7th of last month, Hamas launched a surprise ground invasion against Israel, killing about 1,400 civilians and abducting about 240. In response, Israel immediately retaliated, and the war between Israel and Palestine has entered its second month. Since the 27th of last month, Israeli ground forces have been continuing operations in the Gaza Strip, increasing troop deployment and attack intensity.
Amid growing speculation that Israel will govern the Gaza Strip long-term after concluding the war against Hamas, the Israeli government stated that it is premature to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli government spokesperson Elon Levy said, "It is still too early to discuss the scenario after Hamas." He added, "I hope the day after Hamas (eradication) will be next week. But it will take quite a long time."
However, he added, "We are exploring various scenarios about the 'day after' together with our international partners," and "The common denominator is the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and ensuring that it never again becomes a hotbed of terrorism."
As the war prolongs and civilian casualties increase, voices of condemnation from the international community are also growing. The United Nations stated that "people in the Gaza Strip, Israel, and the West Bank are in the most dangerous situation," and sharply criticized that "both Hamas and Israel are committing war crimes."
Volker T?rk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, visited the Rafah border crossing connecting the Palestinian Gaza Strip to Egypt on the same day and pointed out, "The atrocities committed by Hamas on the 7th of last month are horrific war crimes, and continuing to hold hostages is the same." He emphasized, "Israel's collective punishment of Palestinian civilians is also a war crime, and forcibly evacuating civilians is illegal."
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