Truce talks between Israel and Hamas to resume on Easter Sunday in Cairo, Egyptian television station says

Truce talks between Israel and Hamas are set to resume in Cairo on Sunday, according to a security source cited by Egypt’s Al Qahera News TV. The negotiations come after nearly six months of conflict in the Gaza Strip. An Israeli official confirmed that a delegation will be sent to Cairo on Sunday, while a Hamas official stated that the group will await updates from the Cairo mediators following their discussions with Israel.

Mediated by Qatar and Egypt, the discussions between the warring sides center on a proposed six-week suspension of Israel’s offensive in exchange for the release of 40 out of the 130 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. Hamas is aiming to use any agreement to bring about an end to the fighting and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, but Israel has indicated it will continue efforts to weaken the governance and military capabilities of Hamas.

Additionally, Hamas is pushing for the return of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled Gaza City and surrounding areas during the initial stages of the conflict. Israel has shown willingness to consider allowing back only some of the displaced individuals. Health authorities in Gaza report that over 32,000 Palestinians have lost their lives as a result of Israel’s military offensive since October 7.

The conflict escalated when Hamas fighters breached the border and launched attacks on communities in southern Israel, resulting in casualties and the abduction of hostages. Israeli forces continued their airstrikes and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, causing the deaths of 82 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, according to the territory’s health ministry. Fighting intensified around Gaza City’s main Al Shifa hospital.

The health ministry disclosed that patients in the hospital’s human resources department were blockaded by Israeli forces, deprived of essential resources such as water, electricity, and medication for several days. Despite calls for their evacuation, the patients remained trapped. Armed clashes between Hamas, Islamic Jihad fighters, and Israeli forces persisted around the medical facility.

Israeli military operations within Al Shifa resulted in the killing of three Hamas commanders and the discovery of weaponry such as sniper rifles, AK-47s, magazines, and grenades. Israel claimed to have eliminated and detained numerous gunmen from Hamas and Islamic Jihad during the raid at Al Shifa. However, Hamas and medical staff refute the presence of armed individuals inside healthcare facilities, accusing Israel of targeting civilians.