Israel To Enter Cease-fire Talks in Qatar as Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
As Israel prepares to send a high-level delegation to Qatar for cease-fire negotiations with Hamas, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reports a dire acceleration in acute malnutrition among children in northern Gaza. The negotiations come at a critical time, with UNRWA revealing alarming statistics: one in three children under the age of two in northern Gaza suffers from acute malnutrition.
Israel announced its intention to engage in further talks following a new cease-fire proposal from Hamas, which includes a prisoner and hostage exchange. The Israeli delegation, led by Mossad Chief David Barnea, will assess the proposal, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has criticized for its “unrealistic demands.”
Despite the absence of a temporary cease-fire during the holy month of Ramadan, Israel is planning a new offensive against the Hamas stronghold in Rafah. This development has drawn international concern, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warning of the potential for “many terrible civilian casualties.”
Netanyahu’s approval of an attack plan on Rafah, where a significant portion of Gaza’s population has sought refuge, gives even higher stakes to the forthcoming cease-fire talks in Qatar. The proposal from Hamas, advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, represents a potential breakthrough if accepted. However, Israel’s focus remains on a temporary truce, with long-term negotiations still in question.
