CNN
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It appears that a US-brokered ceasefire took place on Tuesday after a 12-day heavy strike between Israel and Iran, was suspended over the weekend by Iran’s nuclear bombing and retaliation for Tehran’s performance.
However, in Gaza, Israeli attacks show no signs of mitigation. Israel has killed hundreds of people since the Israeli conflict began. As Iran took control of the headlines, the Palestinian and hostage families caught up in the region’s longest war have slid from the front page, largely forgotten amid the devastation between the two most powerful countries in the Middle East.
On Tuesday, the Hostages and Missing Family Forum called for an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Iran to include Gaza.
“Those who can achieve a ceasefire with Iran can also end the war in Gaza,” said a group advocating for the return of hostages held by Hamas. According to the Israeli government, 50 hostages remain in captivity in the enclave, of which 20 are thought to be still alive.
“It would be a serious mistake to conclude this decisive operation against Iran without utilizing our success to bring all the hostages home,” the forum said, adding that there is now a “window of critical opportunity.”
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid reflects those feelings and writes in X’s post.
Qatar, which was the leading mediator of ceasefire and hostage release talks between Israel and Hamas, said on Tuesday it hopes indirect talks will resume in the next two days. Qatar’s Prime Minister added that the talks are “ongoing” and that Qatar and Egypt are in touch with both sides to find the “center” on the latest US-sanctioned ceasefire on the table.
They are seeking that 10 Israeli hostages and 18 more Israeli bodies were attacked on October 7, 2023 as part of a 60-day ceasefire. Earlier this month, Hamas had not rejected the proposal, but said that stronger guarantees were needed at the end of the war.
“We’re sure that our major achievements in Iran are also contributing to our goals in Gaza,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Sunday.
Iran provides financial and military support to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic jihad in its enclave.
When asked by CNN about the off-ramp from the war in Gaza, Netanyahu said, “Look, this war could end tomorrow. Hamas surrenders, puts his arms down, and releases all hostages, it’s over.
Hamas says it’s open to a ceasefire but has no intention of abandoning his arm.
For Gaza’s 2.1 million residents, there was no rest from more than 20 months of death, violence and despair.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 55,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, of which more than 17,000 are children.
More than 860 people have been killed in Israel’s fires since Israel began bombardment on June 13, according to CNN calculations of daily deaths released by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has repeatedly warned that artificial hunger is becoming increasingly likely on the territory.
The Ministry of Health says attacks on civilians trying to access food supplies have escalated since May 27th and while seeking assistance since May 27th, more than 500 have been killed by Israeli forces.
In a statement Tuesday, the United Nations Humanitarian Cooperation Agency (OCHA) called Israel’s actions “a potential war crime.”
CNN contacted the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) for comment.
Philip Lazarini, executive director of UNRWA, the United Nations Palestinian refugee refugee agency, highlighted the fears of Palestinians and many supporters’ humanitarian groups in a light-form manner.
“Brutality continues in Gaza, but global attention changes elsewhere,” he said.
Oren Liebermann, Abeer Salman, Kareem Khadder and Nadeen Ebrahim of CNN contributed the report.