On May 6, 2024, smoke rose from the Israeli strikes in Rafah as the conflict between Israel and Hamas raged on. However, a ray of hope emerged when Hamas accepted a cease-fire proposal brokered by Egypt and Qatar. The aim of the proposal was to put an end to the seven-month war between the two sides. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ supreme leader, made the announcement in a phone call with Qatar’s prime minister and Egypt’s intelligence minister, who have been mediating talks between them.
In response to Hamas’ announcement, Israel ordered Palestinians to evacuate the southern Gaza town of Rafah in preparation for a military operation. Rafah is considered Hamas’ last stronghold by Israel. While the details of the cease-fire proposal have not been released, Egyptian and Hamas officials have indicated that it will involve a series of stages where hostages held by Hamas will be released in exchange for Israeli troop pullbacks from Gaza.
Despite the news of the cease-fire proposal being accepted, it remains unclear whether it will meet Hamas’ key demand of bringing an end to the war and securing a complete Israeli withdrawal. The people of Rafah took to the streets cheering at this development as they await further updates on this developing story.