Israeli Attack On Rafah Would Have ‘Untold Consequences’ – UN

UN Secretary-General Guterres says he is “especially alarmed” by Israel’s plans to attack Rafah, where 1.9 million Palestinians are sheltering.

A draft proposal by Hamas has been released, suggesting a three-stage Gaza ceasefire plan in response to mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt. It includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces and phased-exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli captives in Gaza.

A Hamas official said the “reasonable and realistic” counterproposal specifies deadlines and that any disagreements could be “ironed out” through negotiations.

US Secretary of State Blinken is in Israel to discuss Hamas’s response to the proposed truce deal and an Israel-Hamas prisoner swap after visits to Egypt and Qatar.

At least 27,708 people have been killed and 67,147 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from the October 7 Hamas attacks stands at 1,139.

ALJAZEERA