U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a new proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, following their meeting in Tel Aviv. The proposal, brokered by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, aims to address the suffering in Gaza, where over 40,000 have died in Israeli attacks, and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
While Hamas has yet to approve the proposal, discussions between Israel and Hamas in Cairo have resumed, with Israel seeking border control and Hamas demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The situation remains tense, with recent Israeli airstrikes killing at least 15 Palestinians in Gaza City and Khan Younis.
Despite challenges, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas plans to visit Gaza with other leaders to assert Palestinian sovereignty and call for an end to the conflict. The international community, including the U.S. and the UN, has been informed of the visit, seeking support for peace efforts.