Defense minister of Israel endorses blueprint for capturing Gaza City

The ongoing conflict in Gaza took a significant turn on Tuesday, as both Israel and Hamas appeared to be moving towards a potential truce. The civil defence agency in Gaza reported a tragic day, with Israeli strikes and fire resulting in the deaths of 48 people across the territory.

The latest proposal, confirmed by Israel's defence ministry, includes an initial 60-day truce, a staggered hostage release, the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners, and provisions allowing for the entry of aid into Gaza. Hamas has approved the framework of this proposal, but concerns remain about its implementation.

The situation in the Zeitoun and Sabra neighbourhoods of Gaza City was described as "very dangerous and unbearable" by Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency, due to intermittent shelling. In contrast, Gazan Shawg Al Badri shared her struggle to carry flour, a vital resource referred to as "white gold", back to her family's tent, a process that takes three to four hours.

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties accessing certain areas prevent journalists, such as those from the Associated Press (AFP), from independently verifying the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency or the Israeli military.

In a separate development, the Israeli military later confirmed a strike in Khan Yunis overnight, targeting a Hamas militant. The Israeli military declined to comment on specific troop movements, but stated they were operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities and taking feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm.

Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi expressed the possibility of reaching an agreement, but also noted concerns about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu potentially closing the agreement as he has done in the past. Defence Minister Israel Katz has authorized the call-up of around 60,000 reservists, although the authorization is for the conquest of Gaza City.

Israel's offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 62,064 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable. According to an AFP tally based on official figures, Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians.

Mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States, have been actively involved in shuttle diplomacy to facilitate a ceasefire. However, they are awaiting an official Israeli response on their latest proposal. As of now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly comment on the plan.

In the Zikim area of northern Gaza, AFP journalists witnessed Palestinians carrying sacks of food aid along dusty roads lined with rubble and damaged buildings, a stark reminder of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The move to potentially agree on a ceasefire piles pressure on Hamas, as they face international criticism for their role in the ongoing conflict. The future remains uncertain, with both sides hoping for a peaceful resolution while preparing for potential escalations.