Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian gunmen across the Gaza Strip over the weekend as talks on a potential ceasefire accelerated. Mediators focused on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and bringing relief to the region during Ramadan.
The likelihood of a truce remained uncertain, with Israel expressing intentions to expand efforts to eliminate Hamas while the Islamist faction insisted on a permanent end to the five-month-long conflict.
Residents reported Israeli shelling in several areas, with tanks entering Beit Lahiya and ongoing battles in the Zeitoun sector of Gaza City. At least 86 Palestinians were reported dead in Israeli strikes, while Israel stated that two soldiers died in south Gaza, with Palestinian gunmen killed or captured in various locations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefed his war cabinet after talks with Qatari, Egyptian, and US mediators in Paris regarding a potential second Gaza ceasefire. White House adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned progress in understanding the basic contours of a hostage deal during these talks.
However, Netanyahu remained cautious about the likelihood of a deal, emphasizing the need for Hamas to make more reasonable demands.
Further talks were expected in Doha, with mediators shuttling between Hamas and Israeli delegates, followed by a potential round in Cairo. The first pause in fighting in November saw the release of half of the 253 hostages seized by Hamas.
Israeli media suggested a framework for the return of around a third of the remaining 130 hostages over a six-week truce during Ramadan, but there was no formal confirmation.
Palestinian officials noted Hamas’ insistence on Israel halting the offensive and withdrawing forces as part of any deal. Israel indicated plans to move into one of the last towns where Hamas maintained forces, specifically mentioning military plans for Rafah in the far south of Gaza.
Israeli security cabinet approval for military plans in Rafah, including the evacuation of over a million displaced Palestinian civilians, was expected in the coming week. The war has resulted in almost 30,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza medical officials, with 1,200 people killed in Israel during the October 7 Hamas raid and 241 Israeli soldiers lost in Gaza ground fighting.
