Hamas officials revealed on Sunday that rare direct talks with the United States have taken place in Doha over a Gaza ceasefire.
The discussions, still ongoing, centre on ending hostilities, exchanging prisoners, and allowing humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave, a senior Hamas source told AFP.
A second official confirmed “notable progress,” particularly in aid access and negotiations involving US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander held by Hamas in Gaza.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Israeli airstrikes continued unabated, with Gaza’s civil defence agency reporting at least 12 deaths, including four children, on Sunday.
Rescue footage from Khan Yunis showed responders pulling a wounded infant from debris and recovering bodies wrapped in blankets and plastic.
Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, the group have held 58 hostages; Israeli authorities believe 34 are now dead.
Israel ended the last ceasefire in March and has since intensified military operations while halting all aid to pressure Hamas.
Talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US have failed to secure a lasting truce, though Washington’s recent direct engagement signals a strategic shift.
Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar expressed full support for a new US-led plan to reintroduce aid, bypassing the UN and existing agencies.
The proposal, involving Israeli military oversight and private contractors, has been widely criticised as unworkable and politically fraught.
UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, called the plan “impossible,” warning of a worsening humanitarian disaster under the blockade imposed since March 2.
Israel maintains there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza and accuses Hamas of seizing incoming aid.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, the death toll since Israel resumed operations has reached 2,720, raising the overall count to 52,829.
The war shows no sign of abating as ceasefire talks remain fragile and inconclusive.