Hamas has agreed to a cease-fire agreement framework proposed by Egypt and Qatar, as announced in a Monday statement. The White House and State Department have not confirmed the agreement, but a Hamas spokesperson confirmed it to Fox News. Israel has not announced its stance on the framework, but if approved, it would bring a pause to the fighting in Gaza that has been ongoing for seven months. The agreement comes as Israel appeared to be preparing for a ground assault on Rafah, the final stronghold of Hamas in Gaza, where over 1 million Gazans have been displaced.
News of the agreement comes as Israel urged Palestinians to flee Rafah in anticipation of a potential ground operation in response to a deadly rocket attack carried out by Hamas terrorists in Rafah. Last-ditch efforts by international mediators, including the CIA, to broker a cease-fire have failed to produce a deal, leading to Israel’s decision to act in Rafah. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informed U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin of the planned military operation in Rafah. The operation is said to begin with a “limited scope operation,” with forces ordering 100,000 people to move to a nearby humanitarian zone.
President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation in Rafah during a phone call on Monday. Netanyahu has vowed to carry out a military operation in Rafah, with Israel’s army beginning with a limited-scope operation and ordering the evacuation of residents to a humanitarian zone called Muwasi. Orders were communicated through air-dropped leaflets, text messages, and radio broadcasts to ensure Palestinians were informed and could evacuate safely. Israel’s army warned of acting with “extreme force” against Hamas terrorists and urged the population to evacuate immediately.
The potential ground operation in Rafah comes as a last resort after failed attempts to secure a cease-fire through international mediation. President Biden’s administration has intervened by putting a hold on a U.S. ammunition shipment to Israel, and the administration has also accused the Israeli military of human rights violations in a stunning condemnation. The situation in Gaza has escalated, with Israel warning of extreme force against Hamas terrorists and urging the population to evacuate for their safety. The region is on edge as the conflict continues to unfold, with Hamas agreeing to a cease-fire agreement framework proposed by Egypt and Qatar as a potential path to peace in Gaza.
The Hamas movement’s approval of the cease-fire agreement proposal by Egypt and Qatar offers a glimmer of hope for an extended pause in the fighting that has ravaged Gaza for several months. As Israel prepares for a potential ground assault in Rafah, the situation remains tense, with residents being ordered to evacuate to a designated humanitarian zone for their safety. President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have discussed the escalating conflict, with the Israeli army warning of extreme force against Hamas terrorists. Despite efforts by international mediators, including the CIA, to broker a cease-fire, the region remains volatile as the conflict continues to escalate. The coming days will be crucial in determining the next steps in achieving peace in Gaza.
