The Israeli army is investigating claims made by Hamas that one Israeli captive was killed and two female captives were wounded in Gaza. These incidents occurred just before a new round of ceasefire talks proposed by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. Protesters in Israel have been demanding a ceasefire deal to bring the captives home, criticising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for failing to finalise the deal.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have also escalated, with clashes at the border and recent assassinations of key figures on both sides. The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting following an Israeli attack on a Gaza City school-turned-shelter, which killed more than 100 Palestinians. The death toll in Gaza has reached 39,897 people, with thousands more wounded.
Qatar, Egypt, and the US have scheduled new Gaza ceasefire talks, with Hamas asking for a plan based on a proposal from US President Joe Biden. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has emphasised the importance of Hamas returning to negotiations to achieve an immediate and durable ceasefire. Turkey has also called on Israel to avoid provocative actions and criticised the ongoing violence against Palestinians.
The situation in Gaza remains tense, with ongoing violence and a high death toll. International efforts to broker a ceasefire and bring an end to the conflict continue, but progress has been slow amidst the escalating tensions in the region.
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