Biden presses Netanyahu for Gaza truce and hostage release

US President Joe Biden has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement for a truce in Gaza and secure the release of hostages, according to the White House. This call came after reports that Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 50 Palestinians within 24 hours, highlighting the ongoing conflict's devastating toll on civilians.

Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasised the importance of finalising the ceasefire and hostage deal during the conversation. The White House statement mentioned that Biden also discussed upcoming talks in Cairo aimed at removing any remaining barriers to achieving peace. Negotiators from the US, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar are set to meet in Cairo to attempt to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas. Despite these efforts, both sides remain firm in their demands.

Netanyahu's office reiterated Israel’s determination to meet its war objectives, including ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israeli security. Central to Israel's demands is retaining military control over the Philadelphi Corridor, the border area between Gaza and Egypt, a key point of contention in the negotiations. Netanyahu dismissed reports from Israeli television that claimed Israel had agreed to relinquish control over the corridor, with his office issuing a statement to correct the narrative.

Meanwhile, Hamas has maintained its position in the negotiations. Following discussions with Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders, Hamas officials restated their conditions: an end to Israel’s military operation in Gaza, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a prisoner exchange deal. Hamas seeks the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel in exchange for Israeli hostages.

The discussions between Biden and Netanyahu follow US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent visit to the region. However, Blinken’s diplomatic efforts concluded without any significant progress towards ending the 10-month-long conflict. The continued violence has only worsened the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

In the latest developments, Israeli military jets targeted approximately 30 sites across Gaza, including tunnels, launch sites, and observation posts. Israeli forces claimed they had killed dozens of armed fighters and seized various weapons, including explosives and automatic rifles. However, these strikes have also resulted in civilian casualties.

A particular incident in Gaza City saw Israeli forces strike a school and a nearby house, killing at least four people and injuring 15 others, including children. Gaza’s Civil Emergency Service reported that the attack took place near a UN-run school, where Hamas militants were allegedly operating from a command centre. The Israeli military accused Hamas of using civilian structures as shields, an allegation the militant group has repeatedly denied.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), condemned the strike on the school, expressing deep concern over the increasing number of child casualties in Gaza. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he stated that children had been killed, some even burnt to death, during the attack. He further stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire, describing the situation as unbearable for Gaza's children.

In another incident, an Israeli airstrike in the southern town of Bani Suhaila near Khan Younis killed seven Palestinians at a tent encampment for displaced people, further escalating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Amid the ongoing conflict, the Israeli military has ordered the evacuation of civilians from the central Gaza region of Deir Al-Balah, an area that has become a hotspot for combat. However, as soon as the evacuation orders were issued, Israeli tanks opened fire, killing one person and wounding others. Medics reported that several civilians were injured by machine gun fire.

According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli military campaign in October.

The war, which began on October 7, was triggered by Hamas fighters who launched an attack on Israeli communities and military bases, killing around 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Since then, the conflict has only intensified, with both sides suffering heavy losses.

In Deir Al-Balah, the situation for displaced Palestinians is dire. Many have had to move multiple times, seeking refuge from the violence. Aburakan, a 55-year-old resident who has relocated five times since October, expressed despair over the lack of a ceasefire, stating, "Unfortunately, we may die before we see an end to this war. All ceasefire talk is a lie."

Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced several times during the conflict. Even in designated safe zones, Israeli strikes have continued to result in casualties, leaving many Palestinians in constant fear for their lives.