Negotiations between Hamas and Israel are stumbling as both sides argue over a potential deal to end the fighting in Gaza and release hostages. Over the weekend, Israeli airstrikes intensified, reportedly killing more than 100 people in the densely populated territory.
A Hamas official claimed that the group agreed to release 34 Israeli hostages as part of an agreement that could lead to a ceasefire. However, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office quickly denied receiving any hostage list from Hamas.
The United States has called on Israel to follow international law and do more to protect civilians, while still supporting Israel’s right to defend itself. Talks are ongoing in Doha, with Qatar and Egypt mediating and the U.S. involved in the discussions.
Hamas insists that any agreement to release Israeli hostages must include Israel withdrawing from Gaza and establishing a permanent ceasefire.
“So far, the occupation is refusing to agree on a ceasefire and withdrawal, and hasn’t made any progress,” said a Hamas official, who wished to remain anonymous.
On the other side, Netanyahu is firm that the war won’t end until Hamas is dismantled as a military and governing power. The conflict escalated after a deadly attack by Hamas militants on October 7, which left about 1,200 Israelis dead and around 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli reports.
Since then, Israel’s military operations have devastated large areas of Gaza, displacing many residents. Gaza’s health ministry reports that over 45,800 Palestinians have been killed.
Escalating Violence
The fighting continues to rage. On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes hit multiple targets across Gaza. In the Nuseirat camp, five people were killed when a house was bombed. In the Jabalia area, another strike killed four people.
In Khan Younis, a police station was struck, killing five individuals, though it’s unclear if they were all police officers. By evening, three more people were killed in the Bureij camp, bringing the day’s death toll to at least 17.
The Israeli military stated that over the weekend, they targeted more than 100 sites in Gaza, claiming to have killed dozens of Hamas militants and destroyed rocket launchers used against Israel.
In the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, the aftermath of an airstrike left families searching desperately through rubble. The Zuhd family’s home was destroyed late Saturday, killing seven family members and leaving four missing. Neighbors joined in, using their hands to dig through the debris in hopes of finding survivors.
As both sides hold firm to their demands, the path to peace remains uncertain, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire and the international community calling for an end to the violence.
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Hamas, Israel wrangle over talks as Israeli strikes in Gaza intensify
cgtn.com
