Gaza Strip: Israel and Hamas Resume Ceasefire Negotiations Amid Fresh Bombardment
Ceasefire Negotiations Resume
Israel confirmed on Saturday that negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal had resumed in Qatar, as rescuers said more than 30 people had been killed in fresh bombardment of the territory.
Fresh Bombardment Claims Over 30 Lives
The civil defence agency said a dawn air strike on the home of the al-Ghoula family in Gaza City killed 11 people, seven of them children. AFP images from the neighbourhood of Shujaiya showed residents combing through smoking rubble. Bodies including those of small children were lined up on the ground, shrouded in white sheets.
Indirect Negotiations Underway
As the violence raged, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that indirect negotiations with Hamas had resumed in Qatar for the release of hostages seized in the October 2023 attacks. The minister told relatives of one of the hostages, woman soldier Liri Albag, that "efforts are under way to free the hostages, notably the Israeli delegation which left yesterday (Friday) for negotiations in Qatar", his office said.
Prime Minister’s Instructions
Katz said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had given "detailed instructions for the continued negotiations". He was speaking after Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, released a video of Albag in captivity in Gaza.
Hamas’s Demands
In the undated, three-and-half-minute recording that AFP has not been able to verify, the 19-year-old conscript called in Hebrew for the Israeli government to secure her release. In response, her family issued an appeal to Netanyahu, saying: "It’s time to take decisions as if it were your own children there."
Hostages Remain in Gaza
A total of 96 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the latest video was "firm and incontestable proof of the urgency of bringing the hostages home".
War Continues
The militant group, whose October 7, 2023, attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war, said they would "focus on ensuring the agreement leads to a complete cessation of hostilities (and) the withdrawal of occupation forces". Mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been engaged in months of effort that have failed to end nearly 15 months of war.
US Arms Sale to Israel
As the clock ticks down to the handover of power in Washington, the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden notified Congress of an $8 billion arms sale to Israel, a source familiar with the plan said on Saturday. "The department has informally notified Congress of an $8 billion proposed sale of munitions to support Israel’s long-term security by resupplying stocks of critical munitions and air defence capabilities", the official said.
Civilian Casualties
Rescuers said strikes elsewhere in Gaza killed 10 other people. AFP images showed Palestine Red Crescent paramedics in Gaza City moving the body of one of their colleagues, his green jacket laid over the blanket that covered his corpse.
Casualty Figures
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said a total of 136 people had been killed over the previous 48 hours. On Sunday, the Israeli military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen in the latest of a series of attacks.
Conclusion
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in devastating losses on both sides, with thousands of civilians killed and injured. The resumption of ceasefire negotiations is a crucial step towards bringing an end to the violence, but the path ahead remains uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current situation in Gaza?
A: The Gaza Strip is experiencing a devastating conflict, with Israeli military forces conducting airstrikes and ground operations against Hamas militants.
Q: How many people have been killed in the conflict?
A: According to the Gaza health ministry, at least 45,717 people have been killed in Gaza, the majority of them civilians.
Q: What is the current status of ceasefire negotiations?
A: Israel and Hamas have resumed indirect negotiations in Qatar for a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Q: How many Israeli hostages remain in Gaza?
A: A total of 96 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, including 34 who are dead.
Q: What is the significance of the recent arms sale to Israel?
A: The $8 billion arms sale to Israel is a significant development, as it will support Israel’s long-term security and resupply its stocks of critical munitions and air defence capabilities.