Israel and hamas latest news
Here is the latest news on the situation between Israel and Hamas:
Recent Developments:
- On May 10, 2021, Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip, known as Operation Guardian of the Walls, in response to a series of rocket attacks from Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups. The operation has resulted in the deaths of over 250 Palestinians, including 67 children, and 12 Israelis, including two children.
- On May 21, 2021, a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas, bringing an end to the 11-day conflict. The agreement was brokered by Egypt and the United States.
- Since the ceasefire, there have been reports of sporadic rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli airstrikes in response. However, the situation has remained relatively calm, with both sides adhering to the ceasefire agreement.
Current Situation:
- The ceasefire agreement has held, with both sides reporting a significant reduction in violence.
- The United Nations has reported that the situation in Gaza remains precarious, with many Palestinians still displaced and in need of humanitarian aid.
- Israel has maintained its blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since 2007, and has continued to restrict the movement of people and goods into and out of the territory.
- Hamas has continued to call for the lifting of the blockade and the establishment of a Palestinian state, while Israel has maintained that it will only consider a ceasefire agreement that includes a demilitarization of Gaza and an end to rocket attacks.
Key Issues:
- The blockade of Gaza: Israel has maintained that the blockade is necessary to prevent the smuggling of weapons and materials used to build tunnels and launch rockets into Israel. Hamas and other Palestinian groups have called for the blockade to be lifted, arguing that it is a form of collective punishment and is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- The status of Jerusalem: Israel has declared Jerusalem its capital, while the Palestinians claim the city as the capital of a future state. The issue of Jerusalem is a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The issue of Palestinian refugees: The Palestinian refugee issue is a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinians claim the right of return for refugees who were displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, while Israel has maintained that this would threaten its Jewish majority.
International Reaction:
- The international community has called for restraint and an end to violence on both sides. The United States, the European Union, and other countries have condemned the rocket attacks from Gaza and called for Israel to exercise restraint.
- The United Nations has called for an investigation into the humanitarian situation in Gaza and has urged both sides to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Recent Quotes:
- "We will not tolerate any attacks on our citizens, and we will take all necessary measures to protect our people." - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- "The Israeli aggression is a war crime, and we will not accept it. We will continue to defend our people and our land." - Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh
- "The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. We are working to provide humanitarian aid to those in need, but the situation is dire." - United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov