U.S. and Arab mediators are working tirelessly to finalize a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Meanwhile, medics in Gaza reported that Israeli airstrikes killed 26 Palestinians on Thursday.
The mediators, who are holding talks in Egypt and Qatar, are trying to broker a deal to halt the ongoing 14-month war in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. The potential agreement would include the release of hostages taken from Israel on October 7, 2023, as well as Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
While some progress has been made in narrowing differences over key issues, disagreements persist, the sources said. Medics in Gaza reported that at least 13 Palestinians were killed overnight in separate Israeli airstrikes, including on two houses in Gaza City and a central camp. Later on Thursday, an Israeli airstrike killed nine people near the Beach refugee camp in Gaza City, while another strike killed four others at the Sheikh Zayed housing project in the north. The total death toll on Thursday reached 26. There has been no comment from the Israeli military.
In the northern Gaza Strip, residents of Jabalia, where Israeli forces have been operating since October, reported that clusters of houses were blown up overnight. “The longer those talks last, the more destruction and death takes place in Gaza. Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya are being wiped out, Rafah too,” said Adel, a 60-year-old resident of Jabalia who is now displaced in Gaza City. Palestinians accuse Israel of “ethnic cleansing” in these areas by forcing residents out to create buffer zones, a claim Israel denies. Israel insists its military campaign aims to eliminate Hamas and prevent it from regrouping.
Israel accuses Hamas of using civilian infrastructure and the population as human shields, a charge Hamas denies, accusing Israel of justifying indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians.
Phased or Comprehensive Deal?
Sources close to the negotiations said Hamas has pushed for a comprehensive deal, while Israel prefers a phased approach. The first phase would involve the release of hostages, whether dead or alive, and a number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The sides have discussed the number and categories of those to be released, but no final agreement has been reached, according to a source who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks.
A key sticking point is Israel’s demand to retain the right to act against any potential military threat from Gaza and to maintain a presence of Israeli forces during different phases of the deal. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel will maintain security control over Gaza and the freedom to act after Hamas is defeated in the enclave.
Israel launched its air and ground assault on Gaza after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israeli communities 14 months ago, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages back to Gaza. Israel claims about 100 hostages are still being held, but it is unclear how many are alive.
Israel’s campaign has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and reduced much of the enclave to rubble. On Thursday, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of killing thousands of Palestinians by denying them clean water, an act it deemed genocidal. Israel’s foreign ministry responded, accusing the rights group of falsehoods and asserting that it has facilitated the flow of water and humanitarian aid into Gaza, despite constant Hamas attacks.
