US says onus on Hamas to accept ceasefire deal

Damaged buildings after an overnight Israeli strike in al-Bureij camp, central Gaza Strip. Pic/AFP

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Israeli Minister Benny Gantz about Israel's proposal to achieve a full and complete ceasefire in Gaza, the State Department said. Gantz is a minister in Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet.

In separate calls on Sunday according to State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken commended Israel for the proposal and emphasized that the onus is on Hamas to accept the deal.

The US Secretary reiterated that, in addition to reuniting hostages with their loved ones, the proposal would advance Israel's long-term security interests, including by unlocking the possibility of calm along Israel's border with Lebanon that would allow Israelis to return to their home. The top US diplomat commended Israel's readiness to conclude a deal and reaffirmed the United States ironclad commitment to Israel's security.

On Friday, US President Joe Biden announced in a speech that Israel has proposed a "comprehensive new proposal" that provides a roadmap to a ceasefire in the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages held by the terrorist group.

Israel seeks Hamas alternative for Gaza

Israel is looking into an alternative local governing body for Gaza, the defence minister said, proposing a future beyond Hamas but giving no idea who those challengers might be. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant's comments came at a time of new uncertainty in the war. Gallant, part of Israel's War Cabinet which recently urged the government to have a detailed postwar plan for Gaza, said, "We seek a governing alternative to Hamas.

Israel finds remains of a ‘hostage'

The Israeli military said that the body of a presumed hostage was found in a community near the Gaza border that Hamas militants attacked on Oct 7. Dolev Yehud, 35, was thought to be among scores of hostages held in Gaza until Monday, when the military announced the discovery of his body and said he had been killed in the initial attack. US President Joe Biden has said that Israel has offered Hamas a three-phase cease-fire and hostage deal.

Israeli strikes near Aleppo kill many

Israeli airstrikes around the Syrian city of Aleppo killed several people early on Monday, Syrian state media reported. The state-run SANA news agency gave no specific toll. It said the strikes were around the southeastern edge of Aleppo. "The aggression led to a number of martyrs and some material losses," SANA said. Israel did not immediately acknowledge the strikes and rarely does when it comes to Syria.

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