Israeli military strikes on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least 45 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, with most of the casualties occurring in the northern part of the enclave, according to Palestinian health officials. Concurrently, negotiations for a ceasefire in the long-standing conflict have resumed in Qatar, with the directors of the CIA and Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency set to meet with Qatar’s prime minister in Doha.
The discussions are focused on securing a short-term ceasefire and the potential release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. The objective is to establish a temporary halt in hostilities that could potentially pave the way for a more lasting ceasefire agreement.
While Hamas has not yet provided a formal response, a Palestinian official involved in the mediation efforts indicated that Hamas may consider the new proposals, emphasizing the importance of an agreement that brings an end to the conflict and ensures the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have taken the lead in mediating the negotiations to end the conflict, which erupted after Hamas incursions into southern Israel in October the previous year, resulting in casualties and hostages on both sides.
As the death toll from Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza continues to rise, with Gaza health officials reporting nearly 43,000 fatalities and extensive damage to the enclave, efforts are being made to reach a resolution through diplomatic means.
Notably, Israeli forces have intensified operations in northern Gaza, targeting Hamas fighters believed to have regrouped in the area. Airstrikes on residential areas, including a refugee camp and a school sheltering displaced families, have resulted in multiple casualties, including civilians and journalists.
Israeli military sources have confirmed the targeting of militants in the Jabalia region and other areas, claiming to have eliminated several Hamas operatives and dismantled key infrastructure. However, the high number of civilian casualties has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, particularly in terms of healthcare access and emergency response.
The ongoing conflict has severely strained the healthcare system in northern Gaza, with medical teams facing challenges in reaching affected areas due to the intensity of the Israeli offensive. Reports indicate that essential services, such as emergency response and firefighting, have been disrupted by Israeli actions, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.