**Hamas Proposes Releasing Hostages as Gaza Crisis Deepens**
The situation in the Gaza Strip has taken a devastating turn, with Israel launching a new military assault on Saturday. Amidst the chaos, Hamas has proposed releasing more hostages under a fresh ceasefire deal. The proposal was made during negotiations that began just hours after the Israeli strike.
**Israel’s Demands**
In exchange for releasing some of the hostages, Israel is demanding proof of life and detailed information about all remaining captives. The new round of talks started in Doha on Saturday afternoon local time. This development comes as Israel resumed its strikes on March 18, after a fragile ceasefire that lasted two months collapsed.
**Humanitarian Crisis Worsens**
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened dramatically since the resumption of hostilities. Aid agencies report that food and other essential supplies have been blocked from entering the territory for over 10 weeks. This has led to severe shortages, with many families only able to eat one meal a day.
**UN Condemns Israeli Action**
The United Nations has strongly condemned Israel’s military operation, with Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, expressing shock at the loss of Palestinian lives and the worsening humanitarian situation. “Atrocities have become the new norm under our watch,” he said. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, also called for a permanent ceasefire.
**Medical Consequences**
The impact on civilians is dire, with many children suffering from malnutrition due to the lack of food. Videos and reports have emerged showing severely malnourished kids in Gaza. A British surgeon at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis described her team as “exhausted,” adding that children are very thin, some have missing teeth, and many have significant burn injuries.
**International Reaction**
The international community has reacted with alarm to Israel’s actions. The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, and Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, joined the UN Secretary-General in calling for a permanent ceasefire. Germany’s Foreign Ministry warned that the new offensive risks worsening the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
**Background**
This latest escalation began in response to Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the capture of 251 hostages. Since then, at least 53,000 people have died in Gaza, including more than 3,000 since March.
**A Long and Painful Conflict**
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for months, with a long history of tensions and violence. The situation on the ground is dire, with thousands dead, and many more displaced or suffering from the blockade.
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