Fri Nov 15 21:42:18 IST 2024: ## Hamas Signals Readiness for Gaza Ceasefire, Urges Trump’s Intervention

**Jerusalem, November 15, 2024** – A senior Hamas official announced Friday that the militant group is prepared for a ceasefire in Gaza, contingent on a respected proposal and Israeli cooperation. The call comes as Israel continues its offensive, striking Gaza and Lebanon, and amidst Qatar’s suspension of its mediation efforts.

Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim urged U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to pressure Israel to end the ongoing conflict. He stated that Hamas is ready for a ceasefire if a suitable proposal is presented and adhered to by Israel. This announcement follows Qatar’s decision to halt its mediating role in the conflict, citing a lack of seriousness from involved parties.

The ongoing Israeli strikes continue to devastate Gaza. Residents described scenes of destruction and loss of life following overnight bombing raids. One resident, Mohamed Baraka, reported three deaths and fifteen injuries in his neighborhood after a strike hit his home. He pleaded for an end to the violence, highlighting the suffering of innocent civilians.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in over 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians. Israel’s subsequent retaliation has claimed the lives of over 43,764 people in Gaza, largely civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The attack also saw the kidnapping of 251 hostages, 97 of whom remain in Gaza.

Further escalating tensions, a new video of Israeli hostage Sasha Trupanov was released by Hamas-allied Islamic Jihad. The release followed similar footage earlier this week and a call from Russian authorities for the release of Trupanov and another hostage, Maxim Herkin.

Israel’s military actions extended beyond Gaza, with significant strikes in Lebanon. A building in Beirut’s southern suburbs collapsed after Israeli airstrikes, following an Israeli military evacuation warning issued on social media. The strikes targeted areas associated with Hezbollah. The Lebanese government reports over 3,380 deaths since October 2023, when Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging fire. The situation remains volatile, with the international community anxiously awaiting a resolution to the protracted conflict.

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