News Article:

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, is calling for both Hamas and Israel to provide a formal response to the UN Security Council ceasefire resolution, as global support continues to gather behind the deal. Blinken, who is currently on his second day of a visit to the Middle East, expressed optimism over Hamas officials endorsing the US-backed proposal, but stressed the significance of receiving approval from the leadership in Gaza.

During a meeting in Tel Aviv with Israeli officials, Blinken confirmed that Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had reaffirmed his commitment to the proposal. He highlighted that while every other vote is in favor of the resolution, Hamas remains the only party yet to respond.

On the second day of his visit, Blinken engaged with opposition leaders and privately met with families of hostages. Subsequently, he attended an emergency summit in Jordan, where he announced additional funding of $404 million for humanitarian aid for Gaza. Blinken urged other countries to step up their contributions to assist the more than a million people teetering on the brink of famine and the displaced population.

In response to the crisis, Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, called upon the international community to pressure Israel to open land crossings into Gaza. Echoing this sentiment, Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, emphasized the need for international pressure to prevent hunger from being used as a weapon.

Blinken had previously visited Egypt on Monday and is also expected to visit Qatar, as both countries have played significant roles as mediators with Hamas. The deal, which was approved by the UN on Monday, was presented by US President Joe Biden as an Israeli initiative. However, Netanyahu's reservations have raised doubts about the plan's implementation.

The proposed ceasefire agreement entails an initial exchange of hostages, specifically elderly, sick, or female individuals, for Palestinian detainees held by Israel within a six-week halt to fighting. This temporary ceasefire would eventually transition into a permanent cessation of hostilities and the release of all hostages, followed by a major reconstruction effort.

Hamas's stance may complicate progress, as they insist on accepting only a permanent ceasefire deal. Despite this, senior Hamas officials welcomed the UN resolution on Tuesday and expressed readiness to negotiate the details. They also criticized Israel for stalling and creating obstacles instead of committing to the ceasefire.

The UN vote marks a significant development, as it is the first time the deeply divided Security Council has endorsed a comprehensive plan for Gaza. This unity applies pressure on both Hamas and Israel, although both have previously demonstrated greater responsiveness to local constituencies and personal interests of leaders than to international public opinion.

The shifting dynamics within Netanyahu's government have also added complexity to the situation, with hardline extremists advocating for an extended war. Meanwhile, the fate of remaining hostages in Gaza has become a pressing concern, as their families actively lobby for Israel to accept the proposed deal.

The recent rescue operation led by Israeli special forces resulted in the liberation of four hostages, but also caused the deaths of over 270 Palestinians, including many civilians. International criticism was swift, with the UN human rights office expressing shock at the impact on civilians and warning of potential war crimes committed by both Israeli forces and Hamas.

While skepticism persists in Gaza regarding the potential efficacy of the ceasefire deal, with over 37,000 casualties and half the population on the brink of famine, many remain cautious. The return to normalcy will only be deemed believable when tangible actions, such as instructions to return to Gaza City, are taken.

In the midst of these developments, a reported ambush in Gaza resulted in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers, while forty Palestinians were killed and 120 others injured, according to Gaza health authorities. Fears of an escalated conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces on the northern border also featured prominently during Blinken's discussions in Israel.

Blinken conveyed to Benny Gantz, an Israeli war cabinet member, that accepting the ceasefire deal for Gaza would enhance Israel's security by reducing tensions along the border, as stated by the US State Department. The international community now eagerly awaits the formal responses from both Hamas and Israel, in the hopes of deescalating the ongoing conflict and bringing much-needed relief to the people of Gaza.