Gaza Ceasefire Negotiators Struggle Amid Rising Humanitarian Crisis

Talks in Cairo aimed at securing a Gaza ceasefire saw new compromise proposals between Israel and Hamas. Amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions, with malnutrition and polio outbreaks, negotiators faced significant challenges. Key sticking points remain unresolved, while the risk of wider regional escalation looms, highlighted by recent clashes involving Hezbollah and Israel.

Ceasefire and hostage negotiators in Cairo discussed new compromise proposals on Saturday as they sought to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas. The U.N. reported worsening humanitarian conditions, including soaring malnutrition and a polio outbreak in Gaza. Israeli military strikes in Gaza killed 50 people on Saturday, said Palestinian health authorities. Victims of the ongoing hostilities remained on roads or trapped under rubble.

A Hamas delegation arrived on Saturday to review emerging proposals from the main talks involving Israel and mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., according to two Egyptian security sources. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was expected to attend.

A U.S. official noted that negotiators from the U.S. met with Egypt and later with Egypt and Qatar. However, months of on-off talks have yet to yield a breakthrough to end Israel's military campaign in Gaza or free hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7. New proposals include compromises on key issues like the control of the Philadelphi Corridor, but no significant progress has been made on core disputes.