By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Emily Rose
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The United Nations, United States, and Canada are calling for a temporary cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The goal is to allow humanitarian aid to reach the besieged Palestinian civilians. Late on Tuesday, eight trucks, containing water, food, and medicine, entered the enclave from Egypt.
In an effort to prevent the conflict from escalating, world leaders are working together. U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a phone conversation on Tuesday. They agreed to pursue broader diplomatic measures to maintain stability in the region and prevent the conflict from spreading, according to the White House.
Concerns have risen as deadly clashes intensify between the Israeli military and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Additionally, tensions have resurfaced between Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-backed, heavily armed Hezbollah group along the Israeli-Lebanon border. Escalation of the conflict would endanger security in a region that is crucial for global energy supplies.
The United States has advised Israel to postpone a planned ground assault, as Washington is focused on securing the release of more than 200 hostages still held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
US, RUSSIA OFFER CONTRASTING PROPOSALS
At the United Nations, the United States and Russia have presented competing plans for providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. The U.S. proposal suggests intermittent pauses, while Russia seeks a complete humanitarian ceasefire. Typically, a pause is considered less formal and shorter in duration than a ceasefire.
Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia expressed his desire for the Security Council to urgently call for an unconditional ceasefire. However, he criticized the American draft for lacking this crucial element, which led to Russia’s inability to support it. Arab states strongly back the call for a humanitarian ceasefire.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres previously called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
A senior U.S. official explained their position, stating, “While we remain opposed to a ceasefire, we think humanitarian pauses linked to the delivery of aid that still allow Israel to defend itself militarily are worth considering.”
LATE ARRIVAL OF AID
On Tuesday evening, eight trucks, containing water, food, and medicine, arrived in the Gaza Strip from Egypt. The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed this delivery. U.N. agencies have stated that over 20 times the current aid deliveries are required to support the 2.3 million people in the densely populated coastal strip. The area has experienced extensive building destruction due to Israel’s aerial bombardment.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voiced support for the concept of humanitarian pauses, stating, “There are a lot of conversations going on now about the need for humanitarian pauses, and I think that’s something Canada supports.”
URGENT FUEL SHORTAGE
Doctors in Gaza are raising concerns about the deteriorating health conditions of patients. Overcrowding and poor sanitation in temporary shelters, after more than 1.4 million people fled their homes, are contributing to the spread of disease. Hospitals are running out of fuel to power their generators, limiting their ability to treat the injured and ill. According to a health ministry spokesman, over 40 medical centers have been forced to halt operations.
The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, warned that it would cease operations in Gaza on Wednesday night due to the lack of fuel.
However, the Israeli military has reaffirmed its decision to block the entry of fuel to prevent Hamas from seizing it.
APPEAL FOR HOSTAGE RELEASE
Qatari mediators are urging Hamas to expedite the release of hostages, including women and children, in Gaza. They are encouraging Hamas to release the hostages without requiring concessions from Israel, according to diplomats and sources familiar with the talks. Qatar, in coordination with the U.S., is leading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel regarding the release of hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attack.
Hamas has already released four hostages: a mother and daughter with dual U.S.-Israeli nationality on Friday, and two Israeli civilian women on Monday.
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Emily Rose, Andrew Mills, Michelle Nichols, Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by Grant McCool; Editing by Howard Goller)
