Context:

At least 15 Palestinians, including eight children and two women, were killed in an Israeli strike near a medical point in central Gaza, as reported by Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The strike hit people queuing for nutritional supplements in Deir al-Balah, with graphic footage showing the aftermath and medical treatment of the injured. As negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas continued in Doha, optimism expressed by the US has yet to yield a breakthrough. A senior Israeli official suggested that an agreement might take one or two weeks, with the possibility of a 60-day ceasefire contingent on Hamas disarming, while Hamas accused Israel of intransigence but showed some flexibility by agreeing to release hostages. The ongoing conflict, which began after a Hamas-led attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement in Gaza, with critical infrastructure severely damaged or destroyed.

Dive Deeper:

• An Israeli airstrike killed at least 15 Palestinians, including children and women, who were waiting for nutritional supplements in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, with graphic evidence of the attack's impact visible in hospital footage.

• While Israel and Hamas engage in indirect negotiations mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt in Doha, a significant gap remains in reaching a ceasefire and hostage release agreement, despite some expressed optimism from the US.

• A senior Israeli official indicated that a ceasefire agreement might be reached in one to two weeks, contingent on Hamas disarming, while Israel plans further military actions if disarmament does not occur.

• Hamas blamed Israeli inflexibility for the stalled talks but expressed willingness to release 10 hostages, seeking a comprehensive settlement to halt the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

• The conflict, initiated by a Hamas attack in October 2023, has resulted in over 57,680 deaths in Gaza, extensive destruction of homes, and a collapse of essential services, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

• Most of Gaza's population has faced repeated displacement, with critical shortages of basic necessities like food, fuel, medicine, and shelter, as the infrastructure has been severely compromised.

• The ongoing hostilities have involved additional regional actors, such as the Houthis, who have launched missiles towards Israel, further complicating the situation and raising international concerns.