Gazans Yearn for End of War, Washington/Cairo/Jerusalem, Oct 5 — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that despite Israel and Hamas agreeing to key points of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, the war has not yet ended, stressing that there are still many obstacles ahead. Gazans, enduring years of conflict, have been calling for a quick implementation of the plan, hoping it will bring an end to their suffering. We will know soon whether Hamas is serious about peace,” Rubio said during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press. He pointed out that the critical test would come during technical talks about the logistics of hostage releases from Gaza. The release of prisoners is a major aspect of the ongoing negotiations, and both parties’ willingness to proceed will indicate the seriousness of their commitment to peace. On Friday, Hamas signaled its acceptance of several points in Trump’s 20-point proposal, including ending the war, Israeli withdrawal, and the release of hostages. However, Hamas left other issues open for further negotiations, including one of Israel’s key demands: the disarmament of Hamas. This contentious issue has been a major stumbling block for both sides.
Israeli negotiators are expected to leave for Cairo on Sunday evening, where they will begin talks regarding the hostages. These negotiations are crucial, as they are expected to start just a day before the war’s second anniversary. The Hamas delegation, led by exiled Gaza chief Khalil Al-Hayya, is also expected in Cairo to join U.S. and Qatar representatives. Despite these diplomatic steps, there was no pause in the violence. Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people. Among the victims were those seeking medical aid in southern Gaza and others in Gaza City, where airstrikes killed five civilians.
Gazans Yearn for End of War, Rubio Urges Caution Amid Negotiations
Shadi Mansour, a Palestinian father who lost his 6-year-old son, Ameer, in an Israeli strike, expressed his disbelief at the continued destruction. “All the targets of the Israeli army are children,” he said, standing in the ruins of his home in the Gaza City suburb of Tuffah. The grim reality on the ground has left many Gazans Yearning for End of War, as the conflict seems endless despite talks of peace. One displaced Palestinian, Ahmed Assad, spoke of his frustration. “When the news of Trump’s plan broke, I was hopeful,” he said. “But nothing has changed. The situation is the same. We don’t know what to do anymore.” In Israel, some remain cautiously optimistic. The Israeli currency, the shekel, hit a three-year high against the dollar, and stocks in Tel Aviv reached a record high. “For the first time in months, I feel hope,” said Gil Shelly, a resident of Tel Aviv. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing domestic pressure to bring the war to an end, especially from those whose families are being held hostage by Hamas. But Netanyahu is also facing opposition from his hardline coalition partners, who oppose halting the attacks. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have been vocal in their demand for a relentless campaign in Gaza, threatening to destabilize Netanyahu’s government if he backs down. Gazans Yearn for End of War,
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Trump’s proposal calls for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages, both alive and deceased, with 48 hostages remaining in Gaza. Despite Israel’s military campaign, which has caused over 67,000 deaths in Gaza, Trump believes Hamas is ready for a lasting peace. He has urged Israel to cease its airstrikes and show its commitment to peace, but Gazans Yearn for End of War as the suffering continues. As the war persists, Hamas continues to receive support from regional factions like Hezbollah, which has backed Hamas’ stance against Trump’s Gaza plan. With Israel’s military under international scrutiny for its actions, the coming negotiations in Cairo will be pivotal in determining whether Trump’s plan can succeed in finally ending the conflict.
