Hamas Delegation Heads to Qatar for Indirect Ceasefire Talks with Israel as Gaza Struggles to Survive
A high-level Hamas delegation is set to travel to Qatar later this week or next to engage in indirect ceasefire talks with Israel, as the devastating war in Gaza enters its third month. The ongoing conflict has already claimed the lives of nearly 51,000 Palestinians, with the Health Ministry confirming 38 more deaths in the past 24 hours alone.
According to anonymous Hamas officials, teams have been discussing terms for a new ceasefire agreement over recent days in Cairo, with one proposal suggesting that Hamas release eight to 10 hostages held in Gaza. However, a major sticking point remains over whether the war would end as part of any new deal. The indirect talks in Qatar are aimed at finding a solution to the conflict, which has seen Israel block aid from entering Gaza and seize swaths of the coastal enclave.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire, with the United Nations warning that the situation is likely to be the worst since Israel launched its retaliation to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric highlighted the dire situation, stating that “no fuel has come in, no food has come in, no medicine has come in” since March 2.
The war began when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in an attack on southern Israel and took 251 people captive. While most have since been freed, 59 remain in Gaza, and 24 are believed to still be alive. The conflict has also seen Israel detain a Palestinian medic, with the International Committee of the Red Cross confirming the medic’s detention without providing further details.
The Israeli military has defended its actions, initially claiming that troops fired on vehicles that raised suspicion because they were traveling without lights. However, a cellphone video emerged showing clearly marked ambulances with sirens flashing before the shooting. The military has yet to comment on the detention of the medic.
As the international community continues to push for a ceasefire, the situation in Gaza remains desperate. With the humanitarian situation worsening by the day, hopes are that the indirect talks between Hamas and Israel will lead to a resolution and an end to the violence.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/hamas-sending-delegation-to-qatar-continue-gaza-ceasefire-talks-israel-9945032/
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Publish Date: 2025-04-15 12:11:00
