Israel and Hamas make final push for Gaza ceasefire deal

The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the group’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

More than 46,700 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. Most of the 2.3 million population has also been displaced, there is widespread destruction, and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter due to an struggle to get aid to those in need.

Israel says 94 of the hostages are still being held by Hamas, of whom 34 are presumed dead. In addition, there are four Israelis who were abducted before the war, two of whom are dead.

Relatives of the remaining hostages have urged the Israeli government to do whatever it takes to get a deal over the line and bring all of them home.

“We can’t miss this moment. This is the last moment; we can save them,” said Hadas Kalderon, the wife of Ofer Kalderon, a 54-year-old.

Palestinians also dared to hope that an end to the devastating 15-month war was close.

“We are waiting for the ceasefire and the truce. May God complete it for us in goodness, bless us with peace, and allow us to return to our homes,” said Amal Saleh, 54, told Reuters news agency.

“Even if the schools are bombed, destroyed, and ruined, we just want to know that we are finally living in peace.”