The First Ship Carrying Food Aid Arrives at the Shores of Gaza

As Hamas's ceasefire proposal was rejected by Israel, the first ship carrying food aid arrived at the shores of the Gaza Strip on Friday, March 15. The charity organization "World Central Kitchen" plans to deliver the ship "Open Arms" carrying 200 tons of food at a temporary dock to the residents of Gaza, although details on how this will be accomplished are not yet available. The success of this new maritime route could help alleviate the hunger crisis in Gaza. According to Reuters, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza are struggling with malnutrition, and some children in hospitals in northern Gaza have died from starvation. However, aid agencies have repeatedly warned that maritime and aerial aid cannot meet the total needs of Gaza's residents. The United Nations states that the entire population of 2.3 million in Gaza is suffering from a food crisis, with a quarter of them, especially in northern Gaza, on the brink of famine. Health officials in Gaza, controlled by Hamas, reported that 21 people were killed and 150 others injured in a queue for humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza. Hamas claims that Israeli forces shot at the line of those waiting for aid on Thursday night, causing this incident. Israel has denied Hamas's accusation. Israel rejected Hamas's new proposal for a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in Gaza, deeming it based on unrealistic demands. Reports indicate that Hamas's proposal includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences. The group, supported by the Islamic Republic, stated that Israeli hostages, including women, children, the elderly, and the sick, would be exchanged for the release of 700 to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas also stated that after the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners, they would agree on a date for a permanent ceasefire, and after the first phase, a deadline for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza would be agreed upon. Previously, two Egyptian security sources reported on March 10 that Cairo was in contact with senior Hamas and Israeli officials in an effort to resume ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip. In this context, the "Times of Israel" reported on Friday, March 15, that Hamas's proposal also includes the release of female soldiers in the first phase of the exchange. Meanwhile, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Hamas's proposal as "unrealistic" and stated that the country is seeking to achieve its set goals in Gaza. On the other hand, the families of the hostages welcomed this proposal in a statement, saying, "For the first time, we can imagine holding them in our arms again." Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated on Friday, March 15, that his country hopes to achieve a ceasefire agreement in Gaza in the coming days that would increase humanitarian aid to Gaza's residents and allow the return of refugees from the south to the north of this densely populated strip. Mr. el-Sisi also warned of the danger of an Israeli invasion of the city of Rafah, which has become a refuge for about 1.5 million Palestinians from Gaza. He said, "We hope to achieve a ceasefire within a few days at most and that no negative developments occur that would affect the situation." The Egyptian president continued, "We warned about what is happening and that the lack of aid would lead to famine." He also warned that the waves of war in Gaza have spread to the region, including attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea, which have caused a 50% reduction in his country's revenues from the Suez Canal in recent months. Background: Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of more than 250 others, Israel launched an invasion of Gaza aimed at destroying this Iran-backed Islamist group. Since then, Hamas officials have repeatedly emphasized that if capable, they would carry out such an attack again. Hamas, without mentioning the number of its members killed as a result of the Israeli invasion of Gaza, claims that over 31,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and about 73,000 others injured. The Persian section of Voice of America cannot independently verify or confirm the figures provided by Hamas. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. In response to the escalating violence in the West Bank, the U.S. sanctioned three extremist settlers and two Israeli outposts. The U.S. and the U.K. called on the United Nations to prevent the shipment of Iranian missiles to the Houthis in Yemen. Chuck Schumer stated that mutual peace hinges on a two-state solution; Mitch McConnell stated that Israel deserves U.S. support. Netanyahu stated that the Israeli army will enter Rafah. Biden's approach to the Gaza war: maintaining a close relationship with Israel while distancing from Netanyahu. The Dutch Prime Minister met with Israeli and Egyptian officials; Rutte called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages. Blinken stated that ensuring the safety of civilians is the Biden administration's priority, and the United States' commitment to Israel is strong. Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza continue. An Israeli drone strike near the city of Tyre, Lebanon, killed a Hamas member. UN aid to Gaza residents is being delivered via a land route controlled by the Israeli army. Israeli fighter jets continue attacks in the Bekaa Valley, targeting Hezbollah facilities. Qatar stated that we are not close to a ceasefire agreement in Gaza but hope for it. Aid operations from Cyprus: 200 tons of food sent to Gaza with "open arms." Hezbollah's drone attack on the Golan Heights; Israel: two hostile aerial targets "fell." The Israeli Defense Minister stated that the Iranian government is seeking terrorist attacks in the West Bank. A new round of U.S. air aid to Gaza; CENTCOM: tens of thousands of meals and water have been provided to civilians.