International pressure to end the deadly conflict between Israel and Palestine reached a new high on Thursday and there’s growing optimism that an end to the violence is in sight.
CNN, citing Hamas officials, reports that a “ceasefire in the bloody Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be “imminent, possibly within 24 hours.” CNN adds, “a Hamas leader on Wednesday described a “positive atmosphere” around talks to reach a ceasefire agreement with Israel, “thanks to the support of our Egyptian and Qatari brothers,” who proposed different solutions.”
The New York Times asserts that “senior officials on both sides privately expressed optimism that a cease-fire agreement could come by the weekend.”
And Axios reports that “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene Israel’s Security Cabinet at 7pm local time (12pm ET) on Thursday to discuss the military operation in Gaza and the possibility of a ceasefire.”
News of a pause in hostilities comes as Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, met with Netanyahu on Thursday morning and pressed for peace. On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden made a similar request, telling Netanyahu on a phone call that he expects “a significant de-escalation.”
But for now, the violence continues. From The Associated Press:
Israel unleashed another wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Thursday, killing at least one Palestinian and wounding several, and Hamas fired more rockets, even as expectations rose that a cease-fire could be coming.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back against calls from the U.S. to wind down the Gaza offensive, appearing determined to inflict maximum damage on Hamas in a war that could help save his political career.
Netanyahu has pledged to continue the military operation against Palestine until “its objective is achieved: to restore quiet and security to you, citizens of Israel.”
Since the conflict began 11 days ago, the the Gaza health ministry reports over 200 Palestinian deaths, including 60 children. Hamas, meanwhile, has launched more than 4,000 rockets, but only a small percentage has penetrated Israel’s stout defense system. The Israelis report more than a dozen deaths.