Jerusalem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – According to local health authorities, Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip overnight resulted in the deaths of at least 100 Palestinians on Sunday, coinciding with new ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas hosted by mediators.
The Israeli military has intensified its bombardment of the enclave, resulting in the deaths of hundreds since Thursday, as it gears up for a new ground offensive aimed at establishing “operational control” over sections of Gaza.
What impact have the strikes had on Gaza civilians?
“We have at least 100 martyrs since overnight. Complete families were wiped off the civil registration record by Israeli bombardment,” Khalil Al-Deqran, Gaza health ministry spokesperson, said, Reuters reported.
Gaza’s healthcare system operates at minimal capacity due to ongoing Israeli bombardments and assaults on hospitals. Additionally, the blockade on aid supplies has exacerbated these challenges, leading to increased hunger, which Israel holds responsible Hamas. Hospitals are inundated with a rising number of casualties, many of whom are children.
In an attempt to put pressure on Hamas to free Israeli hostages, Israel has prohibited the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies into Gaza since March. Plans to seize control of the whole Gaza Strip and restrict the assistance flow have also been approved. According to Hamas, the hostages will only be released in return for an Israeli truce.
With assistance from the US, mediators from Qatar and Egypt began a fresh round of indirect ceasefire negotiations between the two sides on Saturday. However, sources familiar with the negotiations informed Reuters that no progress had been made.
Is Hamas ready to trade hostages for a ceasefire?
According to reports from the BBC and Sky News Arabica, Hamas has requested a two-month truce in exchange for the release of around half of its Israeli detainees Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
As reported by Reuters, a Hamas official stated:
“Israel’s stance remains the same; they desire the release of their prisoners without any promise to conclude the conflict.”
Reports from Israeli and Arab media suggest that Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar might have been killed, which could further complicate the ceasefire talks.
How has Israeli shelling affected Gaza’s medical facilities?
The Indonesian Hospital, one of the biggest medical institutions in northern Gaza that is still partially open, ceased operations later on Sunday as a result of Israeli bombardment in the area, according to a report from the Gaza Health Ministry.
Staff at Shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza, are calling for blood donations due to the staggering number of casualties. Hospital officials reported that they received 40 fatalities and numerous injured individuals overnight as a result of ongoing Israeli strikes.
