Gaza: Gazas civil defence agency reported that Israeli air strikes on Sunday resulted in the death of over 40 Palestinians, including casualties at a market and a water distribution point, as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain at an impasse. Delegations from Israel and the Palestinian militant group have been engaged in discussions in the Qatari capital, Doha, for a week, attempting to establish a temporary truce to end 21 months of ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
According to France24.com, accusations of obstruction have been exchanged between the two sides, each blaming the other for hindering progress towards an agreement. A drone strike at a water point in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza, claimed the lives of 10 individuals, eight of whom were children, as reported by Bassal. Khaled Rayyan recounted the aftermath of a house being destroyed in Nuseirat, while Mahmud al-Shami urged negotiators to end the war, highlighting the unprecedented impact on civilians.
In southern Gaza, Israeli jets targeted a tent in the Al-Mawasi area, killing three people. The Israeli military has not commented on these incidents but announced that its fighter jets have struck over 150 targets in Gaza within the past 24 hours. These targets reportedly included militants, weapons storage sites, and strategic positions. Media restrictions and limited access have prevented independent verification of these claims.
The conflict was initiated by an attack from Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,219 deaths, primarily civilians. Of the 251 individuals taken hostage that day, 49 remain captive in Gaza. Hamas-run Gazas health ministry reports that at least 58,026 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died due to Israeli military actions, with the UN considering these figures reliable.
Negotiations for a 60-day ceasefire, including hostage release, have been contentious. Hamas demands the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while Israel proposes maintaining a presence in significant portions of the territory, raising concerns about potential forced displacement of Palestinians. An Israeli official expressed willingness to show flexibility in negotiations, contrasting with Hamas's firm stance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated readiness to pursue a more lasting peace agreement post-truce, contingent on Hamas's disarmament. Public demonstrations in Tel Aviv have urged for the release of hostages, emphasizing a narrow window for resolution.