RAFAH, Gaza Strip. A shipment of essential medicines for hostages held by Hamas is making its way to Gaza. The breakthrough comes as France and Qatar mediated the first agreement between Israel and the militant group since the weeklong cease-fire in November.
The medicines, which have arrived in Egypt, are currently en route to the Gaza border. A senior Hamas official disclosed that for each box designated for the hostages, an additional 1,000 boxes would be sent in for the broader Palestinian population. The comprehensive deal also entails the delivery of humanitarian aid to residents of the besieged coastal enclave.
This agreement unfolds more than 100 days into a conflict that displays no signs of resolution, contributing to heightened tensions across the Middle East. Recent days have witnessed a complex web of strikes and counterstrikes extending from northern Iraq to the Red Sea and from southern Lebanon to Pakistan.
Despite facing one of the deadliest military campaigns in recent history, Palestinian militants continue to resist in various parts of Gaza. Approximately 85% of the narrow coastal territory’s 2.3 million people have fled their homes, and the United Nations reports that a quarter of the population is currently experiencing starvation.
Israel has expressed its commitment to dismantling Hamas, aiming to prevent a recurrence of the October 7 attack that triggered the current conflict. During that incident, militants breached Israel’s border defenses, infiltrating several communities, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and the capture of approximately 250 individuals.
As part of its promise, Israel has pledged to return more than 100 hostages still held inside Gaza. This commitment follows Hamas releasing most women and children captives in late November, exchanged for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. However, Hamas has stated that it will not release any more hostages until a permanent cease-fire is established—a prospect Israel and its top ally, the United States, have ruled out. The situation remains highly complex, with the international community closely monitoring developments in the ongoing conflict.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
