As Gaza prepared for an escalation of Israeli military actions on Monday, there was a cautious optimism for a potential exchange agreement that could lead to the release of hostages and a halt in the conflict.
The Israeli military announced on Sunday their intention to expand operations against Hamas fighters into more areas of the Gaza Strip. This region has already seen significant casualties from the aerial and ground offensive, with reports from the Hamas-led government indicating that approximately 13,000 people have died, including a large number of children.
The most deadly conflict in Gaza’s history was triggered by a surprising attack from Hamas on October 7, as per Israeli officials. This attack resulted in around 1,200 fatalities and the capture of 240 individuals.
Negotiations for a potential exchange deal, mediated by Qatar, were making progress as of Sunday. These talks, aimed at securing the release of some hostages, faced only minor practical obstacles. However, specific details and timelines were not disclosed, and there has been limited communication from Israel and Hamas regarding the negotiations.
A recent Israeli attack near the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, targeting the Indonesian Hospital, resulted in the death of 12 people, including patients, with many more injured, as reported by the Gaza health ministry on Monday.
An AFP correspondent observed smoke plumes over Jabalia on Sunday, following reports of over 80 deaths from twin strikes in the area, including one on a UN school sheltering displaced individuals.
Verified social media footage showed the aftermath of the attacks, with bodies amidst blood and debris, lying on the floor of a building.
Israel’s military has stated that their focus includes areas like Jabalia, with the aim of targeting Hamas members and infrastructure.
The Israeli army is reviewing “an incident in the Jabalia region,” though the recent strikes were not directly acknowledged.
This latest violence in Jabalia has drawn sharp criticism from various Arab nations and others.
Foreign ministers from several countries, including the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Indonesia, convened in Beijing on Monday. Here, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the urgent need for global action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Six weeks into the conflict, Israel is under increasing global scrutiny to justify the heavy civilian toll.
Israeli officials have suggested that the window for legitimizing their actions against Hamas might be narrowing.
Israel recently presented evidence alleging that Hamas militants used Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, to conceal foreign hostages and underground tunnels.
Despite an Israeli raid on the hospital and subsequent international concern, Israel has consistently claimed that Al-Shifa and the tunnels beneath it serve as a base for Hamas, an accusation both the group and hospital administrators deny.
The Israeli military released CCTV footage purportedly showing two male hostages, one from Nepal and the other from Thailand, being taken into the hospital.
The search for these hostages continues, according to an Israeli army spokesperson.
Footage showed scenes of the hostages being brought into the hospital under distressing circumstances.
Despite efforts to verify this footage, immediate confirmation was not available.
Israel also accused Palestinian militants of executing a 19-year-old Israeli soldier at Al-Shifa, and presented images of a 55-meter (180-foot) tunnel under the hospital.
Over the weekend, hundreds fled Al-Shifa on foot amidst loud explosions, including sick and injured individuals, doctors, nurses, and 31 premature babies, as per UN reports.
The evacuation route revealed at least 15 bodies, some in advanced decomposition.
The head of surgery at Al-Shifa reported ongoing Israeli military presence and the surrounding of the hospital by tanks.
Israeli troops, according to other doctors, were searching for Hamas tunnels in the hospital.
Israel remains determined to eliminate Hamas and has resisted calls for a ceasefire until all captives are released.
Two female hostages, including a soldier, were recently recovered in Gaza, as per Israeli military reports.
Qatar’s prime minister expressed optimism about reaching a deal for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the safe return of hostages, which could include Israeli, American, or other captives.
The fate of these hostages, ranging from infants to seniors, has deeply affected their families and the Israeli public.
U.S. deputy national security adviser Jon Finer noted that negotiations were closer than ever to a successful resolution, yet cautioned that nothing is final until all aspects are agreed upon.
In London, the father of a missing nine-year-old girl pleaded for her safe return, expressing the profound emotional impact on the family.
