Gaza ceasefire in doubt as fighting persists, starvation worsens

Israeli planes and tanks kept bombarding eastern areas of Gaza City overnight, killing at least 11 people, witnesses and medics said on Tuesday, with Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya arriving in Cairo for talks to revive a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan.

The latest round of indirect talks in Qatar ended in deadlock in late July with Israel and Hamas trading blame over the lack of progress on a U.S. proposal for a 60-day truce and hostage release deal.

Ceasefire talks

Hamas' meetings with Egyptian officials, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, will focus on ways to stop the ongoing conflict, deliver aid, and "end the suffering of our people in Gaza," Hamas official Taher Al-Nono said in a statement.

However, the gaps between Hamas and Israel appear to remain wide on key issues, including the demands for Hamas to disarm and the extent of any Israeli military withdrawal.

Hamas was ready to relinquish Gaza governance on behalf of a non-partisan committee, but it would not relinquish its arms before a Palestinian state is established, Reuters reported, citing a Hamas official, who asked to be anonymous.

Netanyahu said on Tuesday that he believes the prospects for a partial ceasefire and hostage-release deal with Hamas are no longer possible in an interview with Israeli broadcaster i24. He added that the goal remains to end the conflict, defeat Hamas, and secure the release of all hostages as part of a single final agreement "on our terms."

Netanyahu's plan to tighten military control of Gaza has increased a global outcry over the widespread devastation, displacement and hunger afflicting Gaza's 2.2 million people.

It has also stirred criticism in Israel, with the military chief of staff warning it could endanger surviving hostages and prove a death trap for Israeli soldiers. It has also raised fears of further displacement and hardship among the estimated one million Palestinians in Gaza.

More deaths from starvation, malnutrition

The health authorities in Gaza reported that five people died over the past 24 hours due to malnutrition and starvation, bringing the total number of malnutrition-related deaths to 227, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told a daily briefing on Tuesday.

Dujarric said that the malnutrition-related deaths include 103 children since October 2023. Meanwhile, the World Food Programme warned that starvation and malnutrition have reached the highest levels in Gaza since the conflict began that same month.

Against this backdrop, humanitarian supplies entering Gaza remain far below the minimum required to meet people's needs, Dujarric said, adding that "humanitarian movements still face significant delays and other impediments that prevent the UN from delivering aid at the scale that is needed."

Besides, foreign ministers of 24 countries including Britain, Canada, Australia, France and Japan said on Tuesday the humanitarian crisis in Gaza had reached "unimaginable levels" and urged Israel to allow unrestricted aid into the enclave.

Israel denies responsibility for hunger in Gaza, accusing Hamas of stealing aid. It says it has taken steps to increase deliveries, including pausing fighting for parts of the day in some areas and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.

(With input from agencies)