Talks to reach an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages have resumed in Cairo, according to the BBC.
Negotiations for a potential hostage deal and truce in Gaza appeared to reach a critical moment Saturday, with Hamas set to offer its response to the latest proposal, and Israel indicating an offensive in the city of Rafah could be imminent if no agreement is reached.
With Arab and American mediators pressing intensely for a temporary ceasefire, several reports Saturday said Hamas was prepared to accept the latest proposal, in light of assurances from the United States that there will be a “sustainable cessation” of the war.
A Qatari delegation is headed to Cairo as diplomatic efforts are stepped up to stop Israel from going ahead with its offensive in Rafah – the last refuge for 1.5 million Palestinians.
Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, has quoted an Israeli official as saying that Israel is determined to invade Rafah.
The head of the UN World Food Programme says northern Gaza is now experiencing a “full-blown famine”. Thousands of Palestinians are starving as Israel has restricted the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
