Israel and Hamas are reportedly making progress towards a 30-day ceasefire in Gaza, amid ongoing Israeli military actions in the region. This development comes as international efforts, led by Qatar, the U.S., and Egypt, work to broker a break in the fighting, allowing for the entry of more food and medical supplies into Gaza.
However, the two sides remain divided over a permanent end to the Gaza war. Hamas has insisted that this issue must be resolved before moving forward. Israeli spokesperson Eylon Levy has stated that there will be no ceasefire that leaves Hamas in power and Israeli hostages in Gaza. This statement follows an incident on October 7, in which approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed during a cross-border attack by Hamas.
Palestinian health officials report that since the outbreak of the conflict, 25,490 Gazans have been killed, with thousands more feared buried under the rubble. The conflict has also led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with the U.S. State Department, White House, Qatar’s foreign ministry, and Egypt’s State Information Service not immediately responding to requests for comment on the ceasefire talks.
A general view of a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians, as smoke rises in the distance due to an Israeli ground operation in Khan Younis, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, January 22, 2024. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa.
In the most significant operation in a month, Israeli forces continued their offensive in Khan Younis, southern Gaza’s main city, now sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians. Israeli tanks have blocked the road from Khan Younis towards the Mediterranean coast, preventing civilians from fleeing to Rafah on Gaza’s southern edge bordering Egypt. The military claimed to have killed “numerous” gunmen in western Khan Younis, close to the city’s main hospitals.
Amidst these developments, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that three displaced individuals were killed at the gate of its headquarters in Khan Younis. Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra accused Israel of targeting the Nasser Hospital, the largest operational medical facility, hindering access for medics and patients.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasizing the unprecedented scale and speed of destruction. Diplomatic efforts continue, with Qatar expressing optimism due to ongoing communications with both sides. Meanwhile, the U.S. Middle East envoy Brett McGurk is in Cairo for discussions to ensure the release of hostages and secure a humanitarian pause.
