The indirect negotiations for a Gaza cease-fire resumed on Thursday in Doha, Qatar, despite Hamas’ declaration that it will not attend. Many in Israel believe that after Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, this may be the last opportunity for an agreement that would free the 115 hostages that Hamas is still holding in Gaza. However, significant gaps between the two sides remain.
The appointment of Yahya Sinwar as the leader of Hamas has left Israelis even less hopeful about a cease-fire agreement, as they consider Sinwar as an even more extremist figure than his predecessor.
Last week, relatives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza marked 300 days since the start of the war with marches and meetings, raising the alarm that time is running out as Israel braces for possible attacks by Iran and Hezbollah. With almost 100,000 cases of hepatitis, health officials in Gaza warn of a growing health crisis as the death toll exceeds 40,000.