Hamas says no ceasefire if Israel does not withdraw from Gaza

* A Hamas official says that any Gaza ceasefire deal must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
* Defence Minister Israel Katz says troops will remain in captured areas of Gaza indefinitely, calling them “security zones”.
* He also says no aid will enter Gaza, adding Israel is using food as a tool of pressure against Hamas amid calls to lift its blockade on the Strip.
* Gaza’s Health Ministry says at least 51,025 Palestinians have been confirmed dead and 116,343 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza since it began 18 months ago.
* The Gaza Government Media Office updated its death toll to more than 61,700, saying thousands of people missing under the rubble are presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks, and more than 200 were taken captive.
Netanyahu holds assessment on Gaza captives. In a brief statement, Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister “issued directives for the continuation of the steps to advance the release of our hostages” in a meeting with security officials. Hamas official says still preparing response to Israel’s proposal
A senior Hamas official has told the AFP news agency that the group is still preparing its response to an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire and a captive release deal in Gaza.
Source: aljazeera.com/