The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, behind the October 7 attacks in Israel, announced that it was studying a proposed truce of several weeks in the fighting and air raids in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday April 9. In a press release, the movement declared “appreciate” the efforts of mediators attempting to achieve a truce, and “to wish” a deal. Hamas, however, claimed that the Israelis “did not respond to any” of their requests, without further details. “Despite this, the leadership of the movement is studying the proposal (…) and will inform the mediators of its response”, continued the movement, six months after the start of Israeli operations in Gaza, in retaliation for the attacks of October 7. Follow our live stream.
A “date” has been set for the Israeli offensive in Rafah, assures Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that“there is a date” for an offensive on the city of Rafah, one of the last Hamas strongholds in the Gaza Strip, according to Israel. Victory over the Palestinian Islamist movement “demands entry into Rafah and the elimination of the terrorist battalions there. This will be done”said the Israeli Prime Minister in a video statement.
Washington warns of the risks of such an offensive. The United States quickly and forcefully reaffirmed its opposition to this Israeli operation. “We have made it clear to Israel that we believe a massive military invasion of Rafah would have an extremely detrimental effect on these civilians and would ultimately harm Israel’s security.”reported State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Three leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, are calling for an “immediate” ceasefire. Emmanuel Macron, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi and Jordanian King Abdullah II called for a ceasefire “immediate” and a release of “all the hostages” in Gaza, but also warned Israel against “dangerous consequences” of an offensive in Rafah. “The war in Gaza and the catastrophic human suffering it causes must end immediately”they write in a column published in four French newspapers (The world), American (Washington Post), Jordanian (Al-Rai) and Egyptian (Al Ahram).