Israel and Hamas appear to be inching closer towards a deal for a ceasefire and a release of some of the hostages still being held by the militant group in Gaza, while the UN children’s agency has warned that 17,000 children have been left without families or been separated from them by the conflict.
Qatar, which has been mediating between Israel and Hamas, indicated that the militant group had given its initial support for a deal after weeks of delicate and secretive negotiations.
However, while an aide to Hamas’s political leader said the group had received details of the proposed deal, it had yet to reply.
A Qatari official later clarified to Reuters that there was “no deal yet” and that although “Hamas has received the proposal positively”, Qatar was “waiting for their response”.
They’ve already put this much effort into their stated goal of eradicating the entire populace of Gaza, so I would be very surprised if Israel backs down now. Until the world steps in and forcibly stops them, I don’t see Israel doing so much as scaling back their destruction.