Cairo Peace Talks: Israel, Hamas seek common ground amid Gaza humanitarian crisis

Negotiators for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release discussed new proposals on Saturday, aiming to narrow the divide between Israel and Hamas.

The talks come as the UN reports deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, including rising malnutrition and the detection of polio.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza claimed 50 lives on Saturday, according to Palestinian health officials. Many victims of the past 48 hours’ violence remain on streets or trapped under debris due to ongoing fighting.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to closely review potential agreements emerging from the main negotiations between Israel and mediating countries – Egypt, Qatar, and the US. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is expected to join the talks.

Months of on-off talks have so far failed to produce a breakthrough to end Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza or free the remaining hostages seized by Hamas in the militant group’s Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war.

The death toll has climbed to 40,334 since October of last year, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Saturday.

A ministry statement said 93,356 Palestinians have been injured as a result of the extensive bombardment of Gaza since Oct.7, 2023.

“Israeli forces killed 69 people and injured 212 others in five ‘massacres’ against families in the last 48 hours,” the ministry said.

“Many people are still trapped under rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.