Ceasefire talks and negotiations between hostage negotiators in Cairo on Saturday discussed new compromise proposals. They were seeking to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas while the U.N. reported worsening humanitarian conditions, with malnutrition soaring and polio discovered.
Israeli military strikes in Gaza killed 50 people on Saturday, according to Palestinian health authorities. Victims of the hostilities over the past 48 hours are still lying on roads where fighting continues, or trapped under rubble, the authorities said.
A Hamas delegation arrived on Saturday to be closer to reviewing any proposals emerging in the main talks between Israel and mediating countries Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, according to two Egyptian security sources.
The Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was expected to attend.
Months of talks have failed to produce a breakthrough to end Israel’s military campaign in Gaza or free the remaining hostages seized by Hamas in the October 7th attack that triggered the conflict.
The Egyptian sources said the new proposals include compromises on outstanding points like how to secure key areas and the return of people to north Gaza.
There was no breakthrough on key sticking points, including Israel’s insistence on retaining control of the Philadelphi Corridor, on the border between Gaza and Egypt.
Hamas has accused Israel of reneging on agreements made during the talks, which Israel denies. The group also claims that the United States is not mediating in good faith.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has been at odds with Israeli ceasefire negotiators over whether Israeli troops should remain along the border between Gaza and Egypt, according to a source familiar with the talks.
A Palestinian official involved in the mediation efforts said it was too early to predict the outcome of the talks. The official mentioned that Hamas is there to discuss the outcomes of the mediators’ talks with Israeli officials and whether there’s enough to suggest a change in Netanyahu’s position on reaching a deal.
Continuing the conflict will worsen the situation for Gaza’s 2.3 million people, most of whom are homeless in tents or shelters among the ruins, with widespread malnutrition and disease. It also risks the lives of remaining Israeli hostages.
The World Health Organization reported a case of a 10-month-old baby paralyzed with polio, the first case in 25 years in the territory, due to the lack of proper sanitation for people living among the ruins.
More conflict also risks escalations, especially with Iran contemplating retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on its territory last month.
U.S. Air Force General C.Q. Brown began an unannounced visit to the Middle East on Saturday to discuss ways to avoid any escalation in tensions that could lead to a broader conflict. The region is on alert for a potential Iranian attack against Israel.
Recent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has intensified, with Israeli strikes into southern Lebanon and the Bekaa, and Hezbollah rocket fire into northern Israel.
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