Israel Sends Delegation To Qatar As Gaza Ceasefire Talks Advance

On Saturday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his government’s willingness to send negotiators to Qatar, though he dismissed Hamas’s demands for changes to the proposed 60-day truce. This comes after Hamas publicly expressed readiness to start talks “immediately.”

Despite the diplomatic movement, Israeli airstrikes killed 24 Palestinians over the weekend, including 10 civilians seeking food aid. Among the dead were a doctor and his three children, killed in Mawasi, and several others in Khan Younis and Bani Suheila. The IDF has not commented on the strikes.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Fuel shortages and an 11-week Israeli blockade continue to paralyse Gaza. Aid workers warned that without immediate fuel deliveries, humanitarian operations and medical services face imminent collapse. “We are pretty much down to about half a day’s worth,” said a Deir al-Balah aid worker.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-funded relief group, has drawn criticism. UN Secretary-General António Guterres labelled its operations “inherently unsafe,” while the organisation claims it has safely distributed millions of meals. Two US contractors with the GHF were injured in a grenade attack during food distribution.

Trump Expected To Announce Ceasefire

Sources familiar with the draft deal indicate that US President Donald Trump may personally announce a ceasefire during Netanyahu’s US visit. The current draft includes a plan for Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, to travel to the region to finalise terms. Hamas, however, seeks assurances that the truce will lead to a permanent ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal.

Disagreements persist over aid distribution logistics—Hamas demands GHF’s closure, while Israel wants to bypass UN channels.

Since October 2023, over 57,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed, with more than 50 hostages still held in Gaza.