Ceasefire Negotiations in Cairo Face New Proposals Amid Rising Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Ceasefire and hostage negotiators met in Cairo on Saturday to discuss new compromise proposals aimed at narrowing the gap between Israel and Hamas. As talks continue, the United Nations reported deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, with rising malnutrition and the discovery of polio.

Israeli military strikes in Gaza claimed the lives of 50 people on Saturday, according to Palestinian health authorities. Victims of recent hostilities remain trapped under rubble or lying on roads where fighting persists.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Saturday to be close to the main talks between Israel and mediating countries Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was expected to join the discussions.

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Despite months of on-and-off negotiations, no breakthrough has been reached to end Israel’s military campaign in Gaza or secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during the group’s October 7 attack that triggered the conflict.

The new proposals include compromises on securing key areas and the return of people to northern Gaza. However, significant obstacles remain, particularly Israel’s insistence on retaining control of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border. Hamas has accused Israel of reneging on previously agreed-upon terms, while Israel denies these claims. The United States’ role as a mediator has also been questioned by Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly in conflict with ceasefire negotiators over the deployment of Israeli troops along the Gaza-Egypt border. A Palestinian official involved in the mediation efforts said it is too early to predict the outcome of the talks, emphasizing that Hamas is closely monitoring any potential shifts in Netanyahu’s stance.

Worsening Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza

The ongoing conflict is exacerbating the dire situation for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, most of whom are homeless and living in tents or shelters amidst the devastation. Malnutrition is rampant, and the spread of disease is a growing concern, with a recent polio case reported in the territory for the first time in 25 years.

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The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that food aid entering Gaza in July was at one of its lowest levels since October, when Israel imposed a full siege. Malnutrition among children in northern Gaza has quadrupled since May, and in the south, where fighting is less intense, the rate has more than doubled.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over the polio case, fearing a wider outbreak due to the lack of proper sanitation for people living in ruins.

Risk of Further Escalation

Continued hostilities not only worsen the humanitarian crisis but also increase the risk of major escalations in the region. Iran is still considering retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on its territory last month.

In response to the escalating situation, US Air Force General C.Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, began an unannounced visit to the Middle East on Saturday. His visit aims to discuss ways to prevent further escalation that could lead to a broader conflict, especially as the region braces for a possible Iranian attack against Israel.

Fighting between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah has intensified since October 7, with Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon and into the Bekaa, and increased Hezbollah rocket fire into northern Israel.