Israeli Strikes Intensify Amid Cease-Fire Negotiations

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed 19 people, including a woman and her six children, amid ongoing cease-fire negotiations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to the region to push for a deal. The proposed arrangement involves Hamas releasing hostages in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and prisoner releases.

Israeli airstrikes across Gaza resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals overnight, including a woman and her six children, just as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepared to travel to the region on Sunday to facilitate a cease-fire agreement following months of strenuous negotiations.

Progress seems within reach after two days of discussions in Doha, where the US and mediators from Egypt and Qatar have started preparations to implement the latest cease-fire proposal. However, Hamas has shown resistance to new Israeli demands, leading to repeated stalling of the negotiations.

The agreement under discussion involves a three-phase process: Hamas is to release all hostages taken during its October 7 attack, while Israel would withdraw its forces from Gaza and release Palestinian prisoners. The aim is to halt a conflict that has taken over 40,000 Palestinian lives and displaced millions, amid warnings of an impending humanitarian catastrophe. Despite cautious optimism from both sides, a final deal remains elusive.

(With inputs from agencies.)