Gaza War and Truce Talks: Latest Updates

Intense combat and bombardment have engulfed Gaza as international mediators strive to negotiate a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Gaza Strip, under siege, experienced severe Israeli bombardments, leading to the death of an additional 128 people overnight, as reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory.

Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza and the birthplace of Hamas’s Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar – believed to be the mastermind behind the October 7 attack – has been a focal point of the conflict. This area has been devastated, with many buildings destroyed.

The Israeli military has been engaged in urban warfare, raiding various military locations, Sinwar’s office, and a significant rocket production site. Army spokesperson Daniel Hagari reported the elimination of over 2,000 militants in the city, both above and below ground.

In a separate incident, Israeli undercover forces in the West Bank killed three individuals, identified as members of a Hamas “terrorist cell,” during an operation at a hospital. Disguised as medical personnel and using props like a wheelchair and baby carrier, the agents fatally shot three men at Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin. The men were identified by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa as Muhammad Jalamnah, Muhammad Ayman Ghazawi, and Basel Ayman Ghazawi.

The Israeli army accused Jalamnah, supposedly motivated by the October 7 attack, of planning an imminent terrorist act and using the hospital as a hideout. The Palestinian health ministry emphasized the protected status of hospitals under international law and called on the United Nations to intervene against Israel’s ongoing actions against their people and health centers.

The war in Gaza, now in its fourth month, has left the region in shambles, with its 2.4 million inhabitants facing a dire humanitarian crisis, including hunger and disease threats.

Israel has accused about a dozen staff members of the UN’s main aid agency for Palestinians of involvement in the October 7 attack, leading major donor nations like the USA and Germany to suspend funding. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, appealing for ongoing support to address these urgent needs, is set to meet with donors in New York. Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for addressing the allegations while acknowledging the critical role of UNRWA in providing essential assistance in Gaza.

Efforts to establish a new truce are ongoing, with CIA chief William Burns holding discussions with key Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari officials in Paris. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the talks as productive but highlighted existing substantial differences. Blinken expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, citing significant progress.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani mentioned notable progress in the talks, outlining a phased truce plan beginning with the release of women and children hostages and aid delivery to Gaza, potentially leading to a permanent ceasefire.

Hamas has acknowledged receiving the truce proposal and is currently reviewing it, with senior official Taher al-Nunu emphasizing their desire for a comprehensive ceasefire.

The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s unprecedented attack on October 7, has led to approximately 1,140 deaths in Israel and the capture of 250 hostages, with Israel reporting about 132 still remaining in Gaza. The Israeli military campaign has resulted in at least 26,637 deaths in Gaza, predominantly women and children.

Regional tensions have escalated with incidents involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, and a recent drone attack in Jordan that killed three US troops. While Tehran denies involvement, Washington has vowed to respond, though it has expressed no intention of engaging in war with Iran. The Israeli-Lebanese border has also seen frequent skirmishes with Hezbollah, raising concerns about a broader conflict. Israel remains prepared for attacks but is not seeking an extensive war in the north, with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant indicating a potential shift of forces from Gaza to the north.