TEL AVIV: Diplomatic efforts increased on Sunday to reach a long sought-after truce and captives-release deal in Gaza, as Israel carried out further air strikes and shelling on the war-battered territory.
A new video of two captives being held by Palestinian groups since the group's October 7 attack prompted fresh outrage in Israel, where protesters have piled pressure on the government to reach a deal.
Global opposition to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has also been growing, with world leaders and aid groups warning that a looming Israeli invasion of the southernmost city of Rafah would lead to massive civilian causalities.
Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been trying to mediate a new truce ever since a one-week halt to the fighting in November saw 80 Israeli hostages exchanged for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Palestinian movement Hamas has previously insisted on a permanent ceasefire -- a condition that Israel has rejected.
However the Axios news website, citing two Israeli officials, reported that Israel's latest proposal includes a willingness to discuss the "restoration of sustainable calm" in Gaza after captives are released. It is the first time in the nearly seven-month war that Israeli leaders have suggested they are open to discussing an end to the war, Axios said.
Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,454 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the territory.
Israel estimates that 129 captives seized by Palestinian groups on October 7 are still being held in Gaza, including 34 the military says are dead.
The Gaza health ministry on Sunday reported at least 66 deaths in the past 24 hours. Israel carried out air strikes and shelling in Gaza overnight, hitting three houses in the southern city of Khan Yunis, a correspondent said Sunday, also reporting strikes on Gaza City and Rafah. The Israeli military said its jets struck dozens of terror targets.
Most of Gaza's population has taken refuge in Rafah, according to the UN, many in makeshift shelters after fleeing violence elsewhere.
Despite international outcry, Israel has vowed to invade the city. On the side of a tent in Rafah on Saturday, a Palestinian wrote a message to the thousands of protesters on US university campuses. "Thank you, students in solidarity with Gaza, your message has reached," it read. — AFP
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