Several Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza and in Rafah, located in the south of the strip. At least eight people were killed in an Israeli attack near Gaza City’s Ahli Arab Hospital, while two people were killed in an attack on the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern part of the territory.
Since the beginning of its military onslaught on Gaza, Israel has killed at least 33,545 people and injured 76,094, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The majority of those killed have been women and children.
The rising Palestinian death toll includes at least 63 killed by Israel over the past 24 hours, the ministry said.
A UNICEF humanitarian aid convoy came under Israeli gunfire in the latest incident of humanitarian relief workers being targeted in Gaza. The UNICEF vehicle were hit with live ammunition while waiting to enter northern Gaza. The aid agency said it would raise the incident with Israeli authorities.
Earlier, the United Nations Security Council expressed concern over Israeli air raids that resulted in the deaths of seven members of the World Central Kitchen. The Security Council has called for a full, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the incident, stressing Israel’s obligation to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and improve the delivery of aid into Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh made a declaration that Hamas would not alter its position in ceasefire talks. Haniyeh’s resolve follows a personal loss; three of his sons and four grandchildren were killed in an Israeli attack on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
Efforts to broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel have hit a roadblock as Hamas indicates it lacks 40 captives meeting humanitarian criteria for the proposed hostages-for-hostages exchange with Israel. A senior Israeli official has confirmed Hamas’s claim during talks held in Cairo, where ceasefire negotiations have been ongoing.
The ceasefire talks have focused on a US-backed proposal of a phased exchange, which includes the exchange of women, children, elderly, sick individuals, and five female Israeli soldiers for an estimated 900 Palestinian hostages held by Israel. Additionally, a six-week ceasefire in Gaza is part of the proposed agreement.
CIA Director William Burns presented a new proposal aimed at bridging the gaps between the two sides. The United States is pressuring Israel to agree to release 900 Palestinian detainees in the first phase of a three-stage deal and to allow the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza.
Despite talks resuming on Sunday, there are no signs of a breakthrough on the plan presented by US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators, which Hamas is currently studying.
So far, 112 hostages have been returned alive to Israel through various means, including exchanges and unilateral releases by Hamas.
Hamas seeks a significant cessation in hostilities, including a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Despite international pressure for a ceasefire, Israeli officials have vowed to continue the attacks until their objectives are met.