US offers Hamas "safe passage" through Israeli-controlled lines

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: The United States has offered Hamas the opportunity for the group's fighters to cross from areas under Israeli control in the Gaza Strip behind the so-called "Yellow Line" to areas under its control.

 

American and Israeli officials who spoke to Axios said the aim of the offer was to stabilize the ceasefire and pave the way for Hamas forces to withdraw from parts of Gaza that are currently under Israeli military control.

 

Informed officials said that the message was conveyed to Hamas on Wednesday through Egypt and Qatar, and the group was given 24 hours to withdraw its forces from the eastern part of the Yellow Line. After the deadline, Israel could enforce the ceasefire and, if necessary, target Hamas targets on the other side of the Yellow Line, a senior Israeli military officer said.

 

As of Thursday evening, no Hamas fighters had entered Israeli-controlled areas, but dozens were still hiding in tunnels near the Green Line, particularly in Khan Yunis and Rafah. “These areas have not been completely cleared, and our operations are continuing on a large scale,” he said.

 

As Israeli forces tighten their siege, gunmen are emerging from the tunnels, the official said, leading to increased fighting and ceasefire violations.

 

Two ceasefire violations have been recorded in the areas in recent days, but Hamas has said it has not ordered any attacks and has even lost contact with some of its fighters who remain in Israeli-controlled areas.

 

According to Al Jazeera and some regional media, the US proposal is part of the joint efforts of Washington, Cairo and Doha to prevent the collapse of the ceasefire and the start of a new round of military operations. Diplomatic sources have said that the United States is concerned about the complete failure of the current agreements and considers the withdrawal of Hamas forces from sensitive areas as the only option to reduce tensions.

 

Some news agencies have also reported that Israel is seeking a "complete clearance" of the areas of Khan Yunis and Rafah and believes that some of the orders for the recent attacks were issued from tunnels in these areas. In contrast, Hamas continues to emphasize that it has not violated the ceasefire and that a possible withdrawal of forces is only possible within the framework of a comprehensive agreement.