CAIRO: Mediators are set to reconvene in Cairo on Sunday to seek a lasting ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The talks come as foreign governments resort to airdrops to provide aid to desperate civilians in the Palestinian enclave.
Hopes for a ceasefire were raised last week after talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt in Doha, and indications from US President Joe Biden that an agreement was imminent.
While Israel has reportedly agreed to a framework for a six-week pause in fighting, it is contingent on Hamas releasing hostages held in Gaza since its attacks on southern Israel in October. The onus now lies on Hamas to accept the ceasefire terms.
The dire situation in Gaza has prompted global outrage, with the United Nations warning that a quarter of the population is on the brink of famine. Israeli forces’ killing of 118 people attempting to reach a relief convoy near Gaza City has further exacerbated the crisis.
In response, the US and other countries have conducted airdrops of aid into Gaza, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
The conflict, which began in October, has taken a heavy toll on Gaza, with much of the enclave devastated and thousands killed or injured.
Despite ongoing fighting, there are hopes that a temporary truce could pave the way for broader peace negotiations. However, Hamas maintains that any ceasefire must be part of a larger process to end the conflict entirely.
While both Hamas and Israel have not officially responded to the ceasefire proposals, the reconvening of mediators in Cairo signals a renewed effort to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
