Gaza Truce Talks Stalled Amid Humanitarian Crisis and International Pressure

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. The meeting aimed to revive talks for a truce in Gaza and address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region, where a global hunger monitor has warned of impending famine.

Indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha recently stalled. The two sides have blamed each other for the impasse, with disagreements persisting on issues such as the extent of an Israeli military withdrawal.

Witkoff's arrival coincided with growing international pressure on Israel regarding the widespread destruction in Gaza and restrictions on aid delivery. Israel had sent a response to Hamas' latest amendments to a U.S. proposal that would see a 60-day ceasefire and the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Reports from Gaza medical officials indicated at least 23 people were killed by Israeli fire across the enclave. The Israeli military stated its troops had fired warning shots to disperse crowds, with no casualties identified. The Gaza health ministry has recorded 156 deaths from starvation and malnutrition since the war began, with the majority occurring in recent weeks.

Israel announced it would halt military operations for 10 hours a day in certain parts of Gaza and designate secure routes for aid convoys. The United Nations reported that while more food had entered Gaza during the pauses, the volume was still insufficient. Residents face dangers from Israeli forces and Palestinian looters when trying to access supplies.

With the number of Palestinians killed in the conflict nearing 60,000, pressure is mounting on Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement. Mothers of hostages protested outside Netanyahu’s office, urging an end to the war.

Netanyahu has stated he will not end the war until Hamas is no longer in control of the enclave and has disarmed. Qatar and Egypt, who are mediating the ceasefire efforts, supported a declaration outlining steps for a two-state solution. The declaration stated that Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel has ruled out the Palestinian Authority gaining control of Gaza. Israel has also denounced declarations by France, Britain, and Canada that they may recognize a Palestinian state. The German Foreign Minister stated that negotiations for a two-state solution must begin, but for Germany, the recognition of a Palestinian state would come at the end of that process.