2 weeks Ago By Daily News Egypt
As the ceasefire in Gaza enters its 15th day, thousands of residents continue to endure an escalating humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands remain without shelter or basic necessities, particularly in the northern regions of the besieged Strip, where conditions grow increasingly dire. Meanwhile, negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement are set to begin on Monday, marking a critical juncture in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The Civil Defence in Gaza has warned that incoming air depressions will further endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands of displaced citizens living in makeshift tents and crumbling homes. Additionally, the presence of unexploded remnants from Israeli military operations scattered across streets and beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings continues to pose a severe threat to civilians. On the diplomatic front, an official from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) confirmed to Arab media that mediators have communicated their readiness to commence a new round of negotiations in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.
The official, speaking anonymously, stated that representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States will mediate the discussions. Hamas has expressed its willingness to engage in the second phase of talks based on prior agreements reached in the initial Doha negotiations. Meanwhile, humanitarian aid continues to trickle into the region.
On Sunday, 174 aid trucks entered Gaza through the Al-Awja and Karam Abu Salem crossings, including 14 trucks carrying fuel. Additionally, 10 injured Palestinians were transported through the Rafah border crossing for medical treatment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reported that he discussed the upcoming ceasefire negotiations with US President Joe Biden’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, during a Saturday evening call.
The second phase of the prisoner exchange deal is expected to be a focal point in meetings scheduled to take place in Washington on Monday, the 16th day of the truce. Witkoff is also set to engage with Qatari and Egyptian officials before briefing Netanyahu on the next steps, including the timeline for delegation departures to the negotiations. In a related development, Russia’s state news agency cited an anonymous source confirming that Hamas’ Deputy Head of the Political Bureau, Moussa Abu Marzouk, will lead a delegation to Moscow on Monday.
The delegation is scheduled to hold talks at the Russian Foreign Ministry headquarters, potentially adding another dimension to the ongoing diplomatic efforts. The humanitarian toll of the conflict remains staggering. On Sunday, Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that 8% of the population has been directly affected by what it termed an Israeli “war of extermination.
” In a press conference at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, officials unveiled preliminary findings on casualties and destruction. According to the report, more than 61,709 people have been killed, including 47,487 confirmed dead in hospitals, while 14,222 remain missing under the rubble or on the streets. The number of wounded has reached 111,588, and over 6,000 Palestinians have been arrested.
Additionally, more than two million people have been forcibly displaced at least 25 times due to the ongoing hostilities and the collapse of essential services. The report also revealed that Israeli forces have allegedly committed 9,268 massacres against civilians, leading to the near-total extermination of 2,092 families, erasing them from the civil registry. Furthermore, 4,889 families have been reduced to a single surviving member.
Among the casualties are 17,881 children, including 214 infants who perished shortly after birth during the conflict. The conflict has also left more than 38,000 children orphaned, including 17,000 who lost both parents. Additionally, 12,316 women have been killed in the ongoing violence.
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