Hamas, the governing authority in the Gaza Strip, has declared that it will not release additional hostages until Israel agrees to a “full cessation of aggression.” The announcement follows Israel’s claim of eliminating over 2,000 Hamas fighters since the recent truce, where more than 100 hostages were freed. Approximately 120 people abducted from Israel on October 7 remain in captivity in Gaza.
Efforts at the United Nations to pass a resolution on the ongoing conflict have faced challenges, with the U.S. expressing serious concerns over the draft UN Security Council resolution. However, the U.S. has shown support for the UN’s latest draft resolution on humanitarian aid for Gaza. Originally emphasizing the need for a sustainable cessation of hostilities to create conditions for aid, the final version calls for creating the conditions for such a cessation. The voting on the resolution, initially scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed to Friday.
Fighting continues in Gaza, with Israel conducting airstrikes in the north and south, and Hamas launching rockets towards Tel Aviv. Reported casualties include the director of the police station in Khan Younis and a daughter of the head of the Gaza health ministry.
Despite a recent week-long truce, negotiations for a new truce in Cairo, Egypt, have not resulted in an agreement. Hamas’s statement, tying hostage releases to a complete cessation of aggression, adds complexity to the already challenging situation.
Israel has pursued military pressure and rescue operations to secure hostage releases, while Hamas insists on a halt to aggression before engaging in talks about prisoners or exchange deals. The conflict’s toll on Gaza’s population is evident, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting an overall death toll of 20,057 since October 7. Concerns about famine within six months persist if hostilities continue, and the World Health Organization notes that northern Gaza lacks a functional hospital due to fuel, staff, and supplies shortages.
