Israel Pounds Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Continue in Doha
As indirect ceasefire talks continue in Doha, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened with renewed Israeli airstrikes killing at least 13 Palestinians in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to the Palestinian News & Information Agency (WAFA), the attacks targeted several areas across the Gaza Strip, including residential neighborhoods and makeshift camps for displaced people.
Casualties and Strikes Across Gaza
Medical sources reported multiple strikes in Gaza City’s Tal al-Hawa, Tuffah neighborhood, Deir el-Balah, Khan Younis, and the crowded coastal area of al-Mawasi.
- Al-Shifa Hospital confirmed four deaths, including an infant, in Tal al-Hawa.
- Al-Ahli Arab Hospital said two people died in Tuffah.
- Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported one death in Deir el-Balah.
- Nasser Hospital received the bodies of two people killed in a drone strike near the Khan Younis-Western Rafah road.
- In Khan Younis, four members of a displaced family were killed in a tent strike.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military confirmed that five Israeli soldiers were killed and two seriously injured in an “incident” in northern Gaza. Local reports said a roadside bomb exploded near Israeli troops in Beit Hanoon, wounding another 12 soldiers.
Ceasefire Talks in Doha: Where Do They Stand?
Despite the ongoing violence, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have entered the second day of indirect peace talks in Doha, Qatar, with US officials mediating.
Steve Witkoff, who helped craft the proposed 60-day ceasefire plan, is expected to join the talks this week to push for an agreement.
However, deep divisions remain. Palestinian sources say Israel’s restrictions on the free and safe entry of humanitarian aid continue to stall any breakthrough. Israel argues that it must prevent militants from seizing aid supplies, while Palestinians say the blockade is worsening an already catastrophic famine risk.
The US-backed plan reportedly involves:
- A phased release of hostages
- Gradual Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza
- And further negotiations aimed at ending the war entirely
But Hamas insists on a permanent end to hostilities before freeing the remaining hostages. Israel, in contrast, demands that Hamas first release all hostages and dismantle its military capabilities.
Mounting Pressure for a Deal
Former US President Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as a key broker, recently warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he must work quickly towards a deal. Netanyahu, facing growing domestic and international pressure, claims his coalition government will support a ceasefire if acceptable terms are reached — though some of his hardline allies remain opposed.
The Gaza war began in October 2023 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has since killed over 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Most of the enclave’s 2.3 million people have been displaced, and UN officials warn that nearly half a million people could face famine in the coming months.
A Fragile Path Ahead
This new push for a ceasefire comes after earlier attempts collapsed in March. While negotiators press on in Doha, many in Gaza are clinging to hope that an agreement will stop the relentless airstrikes and ease severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
“I ask God almighty that the mediators pressure with all their strength to solve this issue, because it has totally become unbearable,” said Abu Suleiman Qadoum, a displaced resident in Gaza City.
As the situation unfolds, the world’s eyes are once again on the region — hoping that diplomacy can finally break the deadlock and end the suffering of millions caught in the crossfire.
