An Israeli delegation has arrived in Egypt to continue ceasefire talks as Israel and Hamas consider the latest proposal, according to three Egyptian airport officials. International mediators are pushing for a phased deal to halt the fighting and secure the release of about 120 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as reported by The Associated Press.
Ceasefire discussions were disrupted over the weekend when Israel claimed to have targeted Hamas’ military commander in a massive strike, though his status remains unclear.
Two international courts have accused Israel of war crimes and genocide, charges that Israel denies. Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom live in overcrowded tent camps, face severe restrictions, ongoing conflict, and limited humanitarian aid, leading to widespread hunger and fears of famine.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that Israel released 13 Palestinians who had been detained for weeks. They were taken from an Israeli checkpoint in the Gaza Strip to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Some detainees wept upon reuniting with their families, and others showed signs of bruising.
One of the released detainees, Zakaria Abu al-Eish, described harsh conditions during his detention, saying, “For 55 days, I was handcuffed, blindfolded, deprived of sleep, with no rest, and the food provided was unfit for humans.”
