Israel continues strikes across Gaza amid renewed ceasefire push

At least eight Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on areas of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to local civil defense and medical sources.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, reported that three people were killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting a gathering of Palestinians in the al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City.

In a separate attack, two Palestinians were killed in an airstrike in the Al-Karama neighborhood northwest of Gaza City, and two more were killed in an Israeli strike in the Al-Shuja'iya neighborhood east of Gaza City.

Additionally, medical sources reported that a young man was killed in Jabalia town in northern Gaza, where eyewitnesses confirmed injuries from Israeli artillery targeting the area.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Sunday accused Israel of prolonging its war through "a time-buying game" to facilitate "genocide, displacement, and annexation," and called on the international community to take urgent action to stop the violence.

The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, after a Hamas attack on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of approximately 250 hostages, has caused widespread devastation. The Gaza-based health authorities reported on Sunday that the Palestinian death toll from Israeli strikes has risen to 46,565.

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel have made progress toward a ceasefire agreement, Palestinian officials said on Sunday.

"We are not far from a ceasefire agreement if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds positively to the main issues under discussion," said Tahir al-Nono, a senior Hamas official, in comments to Xinhua. Al-Nono added that Hamas remains "flexible" in working with mediators to end the conflict, emphasizing the group's main goal is "ending the war."

A second Hamas official, speaking anonymously, stated that the final framework for a ceasefire agreement is nearly complete. "We are very close to reaching the ceasefire," the official said, noting that technical committees involving both sides and mediators have finalized preparations for the agreement.

According to Hamas sources, the proposed deal includes two phases. In the initial phase, Hamas will release several Israeli hostages, including women, children, elderly individuals, and humanitarian cases. In exchange, Israel will release dozens of Palestinian detainees, withdraw its forces from parts of Gaza, and facilitate the return of displaced residents to their homes in northern Gaza.

The second phase, to be negotiated during the first, is expected to address broader issues, including a full ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, Gaza's reconstruction, and a comprehensive prisoner exchange.

Later on Sunday, Netanyahu updated U.S. President Joe Biden during a phone call on the "progress" of the Doha-based negotiations. According to a White House statement, Biden stressed the "immediate need for a ceasefire and the return of hostages."

On Saturday, Netanyahu instructed a senior delegation to travel to Doha to advance negotiations. The delegation, led by David Barnea, chief of the Mossad intelligence agency, and Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet internal security service, held discussions with Qatari mediators and U.S. officials. A statement from Netanyahu's office confirmed that the talks aim to secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Also on Saturday, Netanyahu met with Steve Witkoff, incoming Mideast envoy for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in Jerusalem. According to Hebrew media reports, Witkoff conveyed Trump's firm intention to secure a hostage deal before his inauguration on January 20. Channel 12 news reported that Witkoff urged Netanyahu to ensure both sides demonstrate flexibility to finalize an agreement.

(With input from Xinhua)