The special envoy of United States, Steve Witkoff, He met Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuin the midst of growing international pressures to reach a truce in Loop and attend the deep humanitarian crisis that crosses the enclave. The visit occurs in parallel with warnings of international organizations on the imminent risk of famine.
Just hours after the arrival of Witkoff, Donald Trump He expressed himself in his social social network: “The fastest way to put an end to humanitarian crises in Gaza is that Hamas surrenders and releases the hostages.”
Meanwhile, the State Department of USA imposed sanctions against officials of the Palestinian authority (AP) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (OLP), to those who accused of hindering peace efforts. The measure (which prohibits the entrance to USA to the people achieved) marks a new turn in the American position, increasingly distant from their European allies, which in recent weeks have expressed support for the recognition of a Palestinian state.
The main allies of Washington (France, United Kingdom and Canada) They have stated that they are willing to officially recognize a Palestinian State. In contrast, Israel has responded by hardening its position. This week, two Israeli cabinet ministers, Israel Katz (Defense) and Yariv Levin (Justice)they manifested openly in favor of annexing Bankwhich would imply closing any possibility of a solution of two states.
The high fire conversations between Israel and Hamasthat develop indirectly in Dohathey stagnated, without advances on key issues such as Israeli military retirement from Loop. According to diplomatic sources, Israel sent on Wednesday an answer to the latest modifications that Hamas made about a proposal of USA which included a high fire of 60 days, the release of some hostages and an exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Famine, humanitarian breaks and new visit to Gaza
The visit of Witkoff coincides with a critical moment in Loop. Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 150 people died from malnutrition, according to the local Ministry of Health, and the UN states that more than 1,000 Palestinians were killed while trying to access humanitarian aid since the end of May. Testimonies collected by Reuters account for desperate scenes: looting, violence between civilians and extreme food shortages.
Israel He announced on Sunday a daily pause of 10 hours in his military operations in some areas of Gaza to allow the entry of help. Although the UN acknowledged that it managed to enter more food in the first days of truce, it warned that the volume remains insufficient.
Israel’s Kan channel reported that Witkoff It also plans to visit assistance distribution points within the enclave.
Hamas, hostages and internal pressure
The group Hamas It still keeps about 50 hostages in Gaza, of which it is estimated that at least 20 are still alive. Relatives of the kidnapped led protests in Tel Aviv In front of the prime minister’s office, demanding the end of the war. “You have to end this nightmare”Said Yael Engel-Lichi, aunt of one of the hostages released in a previous truce.
However, Netanyahu insists that he will not end the offensive until Hamas Eat control and depose the weapons, a requirement that the Islamist group has rejected.
For its part, Qatar and Egyptmain regional mediators, supported a joint statement of Saudi France and Arabia that promotes a solution of two states and calls that Hamas yield Loop To the Palestinian authority. Israel, for now, rejects that the AP assumes that role.
While negotiations are still in the dead, the conflict is prolonged and the humanitarian situation in Loop It aggravates day by day. In the midst of this panorama, the mission of Witkoff It represents a new attempt by Washington to reactivate a diplomatic process that seems more distant than ever.
Source: Ambito
