Palestinian Diplomat: Gaza Ceasefire Only Possible Once Israel Commits to Ending the War

Israel and Hamas are both facing calls to support the U.S.-backed ceasefire and hostage deal that was endorsed by the U.N. Security Council earlier this week. While Hamas has welcomed the proposal, Israeli leaders have yet to publicly commit to its terms, including a full end to the war rather than just a pause in the fighting for the exchange of captives. This comes as a major new U.N. report accuses Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity throughout its eight-month assault on the territory. Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza has now passed 37,000, including more than 15,000 children. “This is inhumane and catastrophic,” says senior Palestinian diplomat Majed Bamya, who says “2.3 million Palestinians, every single day, are fighting to survive” while the ceasefire proposal languishes. He also stresses that peace in the region is only possible by “ending the occupation and allowing two states to live side by side.”