Negotiators in Cairo on Saturday discussed new compromise proposals aimed at resolving the conflict between Israel and Hamas, but no significant progress was reported after hours of discussions.
A Palestinian official close to the mediation process revealed that the talks yielded no breakthroughs, with Israel maintaining its demand to retain eight positions along the Philadelphi Corridor. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened, with rising malnutrition and a polio outbreak reported in the region.
Israeli military strikes on Gaza on Saturday resulted in the deaths of 50 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. The violence has left many victims trapped under rubble or exposed on roads amidst ongoing fighting.
A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to review proposals and participate in talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. However, the Hamas team returned to Doha, Qatar, following the round of discussions.
Despite months of intermittent talks, no resolution has been achieved to end Israel’s military actions in Gaza or secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been actively involved in negotiations, traveling between Jerusalem, Cairo, and Doha to push for a ceasefire.
New proposals discussed in Cairo included compromises on securing key areas and the return of people to northern Gaza, but key issues such as Israel’s control over the Philadelphi Corridor remain unresolved. Hamas has accused Israel of reneging on previous agreements, a claim Israel denies, while the group also criticized U.S. mediation efforts.
The ongoing conflict has exacerbated Gaza’s dire conditions, with widespread homelessness, severe malnutrition, and disease outbreaks among the 2.3 million residents. The World Health Organization reported the first case of polio in Gaza in 25 years, raising concerns about a potential wider outbreak.
In addition to the Gaza crisis, tensions in the region are high, with recent escalations involving Iran and Hezbollah. U.S. Air Force General C.Q. Brown began an unannounced visit to the Middle East to discuss measures to prevent further conflict, as the region braces for potential retaliatory actions by Iran.
Fighting between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah has intensified, with Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and increased rocket fire from Hezbollah into northern Israel.
