Dozens Killed in Southern Gaza Strikes as Cease-Fire Talks Advance

CAIRO — Reports from Saturday indicate that at least three dozen Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip. This violence comes as Egypt prepares to host high-level cease-fire talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.

Among those who died were 11 family members, including two children, who lost their lives when an Israeli airstrike targeted their home in Khan Younis early Saturday morning. This information was confirmed by Nasser Hospital, where the victims and injured individuals were taken.

In total, the hospital reported receiving 33 bodies from three separate strikes in and around Khan Younis. Additionally, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital recorded another three casualties from an early strike in the same area.

Seventeen individuals were killed when a strike hit a road south of Khan Younis, impacting passengers traveling in a tuk-tuk, along with nearby pedestrians. A separate strike on a tuk-tuk east of Khan Younis claimed at least five additional lives.

The Israeli military stated that it would investigate the reports; however, they provided no immediate comments regarding the incidents.

First responders also recovered 10 bodies from a residential building in western Khan Younis. The exact circumstances surrounding these deaths remain unclear, though the area has seen repeated bombings by the Israeli military over the past week.

An Associated Press journalist at the hospital witnessed the tragic scene, counting the bodies and documenting a funeral service taking place in the hospital’s courtyard.

The conflict in Gaza began on October 7, following a surprise attack by Hamas and other militant groups that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals in Israel, predominantly civilians. Although more than 100 hostages were freed during a cease-fire last year, it is estimated that Hamas is still holding around 110 individuals, with reports suggesting that about a third of them may have died.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli retaliatory strikes have resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians. This figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The offensive has also led to widespread devastation, displacing most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents from their homes.

On Saturday, experts convened to address technical matters and prepare for high-level discussions on a potential cease-fire scheduled for Sunday. These negotiations are being mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.

A delegation from Hamas arrived in Cairo to engage with officials from Egypt and Qatar. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawy clarified that while Hamas would not participate directly in the Sunday discussions, they would be informed by the mediators.

In attendance from the Israeli side was a delegation that included David Barnea, the head of the Mossad, the head of Israel’s Shin Bet security service, and top military leader Maj. Gen. Eliezer Toledano.

The U.S. side is being led by CIA Director William Burns and Brett McGurk, a senior adviser to President Joe Biden on Middle East affairs. There are significant differences between Israel and Hamas regarding Israeli military presence in two critical corridors within Gaza.

The White House recently reported that talks had been constructive and indicated some progress, but specific details were not disclosed.

The U.S. is advocating for a bridging proposal that seeks to reconcile the positions of Israel and Hamas, particularly as there are growing concerns about a broader regional conflict after recent targeted killings of leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah, which Israel is believed to have carried out.

President Biden reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, underscoring the urgency of establishing a cease-fire and facilitating the release of hostages, while also discussing the situation with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt on Friday.

A significant roadblock in these negotiations is the Philadelphi corridor adjacent to Gaza’s border with Egypt, as well as the Netzarim east-west corridor stretching across the territory.

Hamas demands a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while Netanyahu asserts that Israel must retain control over these strategic corridors.

Hamas political official Bassem Naim indicated last week that a working proposal was leaning toward Netanyahu’s conditions, which include continued Israeli military control over both aforementioned corridors.

As the Sunday talks approach, Merdawy affirmed that Hamas’s stance remains unchanged, supporting an earlier draft that calls for the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Source: Associated Press