Gaza ceasefire talks continue as death toll surpasses 40,000
Doha Talks on Gaza Ceasefire to Continue Friday Amid Ongoing Israeli Strikes
DOHA – Negotiators were set to reconvene in Doha on Friday in a continued effort to secure a Gaza ceasefire agreement, as Israeli strikes on the Palestinian enclave persisted.
Gaza health officials reported on Thursday that the death toll had exceeded 40,000 after over 10 months of conflict.
The current round of negotiations began on Thursday, with Qatari and US officials confirming that talks would extend into a second day on Friday.
A US official familiar with the Doha discussions, who requested anonymity, described Thursday’s talks as “constructive.”
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John Kirby, the US national security spokesperson, emphasized the importance of the negotiations, stating, “The remaining obstacles can be overcome, and we must bring this process to a close,” during a briefing at the White House.
Meanwhile, Israel continued its assault on Gaza. Gaza health officials reported that at least six Palestinians were killed on Thursday night in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house in Jabalia, located in northern Gaza. Additionally, Israeli forces struck targets in the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis earlier in the day.
In a Telegram statement issued late Thursday, Hamas politburo member Hossam Badran stated that Israel’s ongoing operations are hindering progress towards a ceasefire. Hamas officials were not present at Thursday’s talks.
Badran emphasized that the discussions should focus on implementing a previously accepted framework agreement, achieving a full ceasefire, withdrawing Israeli forces, facilitating the return of displaced Palestinians, and securing a hostage exchange.
He added that Hamas views the ongoing negotiations in Doha as a strategic effort aimed at ending the aggression against Gaza.
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Mediators are scheduled to meet with Hamas’ negotiating team in Doha following the talks, according to the US official.
The Israeli delegation includes key figures such as spy chief David Barnea, domestic security head Ronen Bar, and the military’s hostages chief Nitzan Alon, as reported by defense officials.
Representing the US, CIA Director Bill Burns and Middle East envoy Brett McGurk are participating, alongside Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.
These negotiations aim to end the violence in Gaza and secure the release of 115 Israeli and foreign hostages. The discussions were prompted by concerns over potential retaliation from Iran following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
With US warships, submarines, and warplanes deployed to the region to support Israel and deter other potential threats, Washington hopes a ceasefire agreement can reduce the risk of a broader regional conflict.
The White House also condemned recent attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, calling them “unacceptable and must stop” after settlers assaulted a village, resulting in at least one death.
As the US presidential elections approach on November 5, Republican candidate Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration’s extended calls for a ceasefire, arguing that it would merely provide Hamas with time to regroup.
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Both Israel and Hamas have each blamed the other for the failure to reach an agreement so far, though neither side has ruled out the possibility of a deal.
On Wednesday, an Israeli negotiating team source revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shown flexibility on several major issues.
Key disputes include the presence of Israeli troops in Gaza, the timing of a hostage release, and the restrictions on civilian movement between southern and northern Gaza.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk described the Gaza death toll, which exceeds 40,000 according to the enclave’s health ministry, as a “grim milestone for the world.” He criticized the Israeli Defense Forces for failing to adhere to the rules of war in a statement from Geneva on Thursday.
Israel’s military, on the other hand, reported that it has “eliminated” over 17,000 Palestinian militants during its campaign in Gaza.
In war-torn Gaza, where nearly all of the 2.3 million residents have been displaced, there is a desperate hope for the conflict to end. Aya, 30, currently sheltering with her family in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, expressed hope that this round of negotiations will succeed, saying, “Either it’s this time or never, I am afraid,” in a message to Reuters via a chat app.
The conflict began following a Hamas raid on southern Israel on October 7, which Israel claims resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, prompting its retaliatory attacks on Gaza.
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