New Obstacles to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Amid Freezing Cold and Hostage Crisis

GazaIsrael-Hamas ConflictCeasefire NegotiationsHumanitarian Crisis

Share:

Freezing temperatures in Gaza have resulted in the death of a baby girl, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation. Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas continue to blame each other for delays in securing a ceasefire and hostage deal. Sporadic talks to reach a deal have taken place for a year, but recent weeks have seen a renewed push. However, sticking points remain, including the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Israel's negotiating team returned from Qatar for internal consultations after a week of 'significant negotiations'.

Gaza
Israel-Hamas Conflict
Ceasefire Negotiations
Humanitarian Crisis

Related articles:

Biden's $8 Billion Arms Sale to Israel: What You Need to Know

GazaIsraelUS PoliticsBiden AdministrationArms Sale

President Biden's administration has announced an $8 billion arms sale to Israel as fighting continues in Gaza. The sale includes medium-range air-to-air missiles and 155 mm artillery shells for long-range targeting, among other weapons. This move comes as the US urges Hamas to agree to a ceasefire, and despite calls for an arms embargo against Israel. With more than 45,700 deaths in Gaza since October 2023, the war has caused widespread destruction and displacement, with hundreds of thousands of people now sheltering in tents near the sea. The informal notice to Congress isn't the final notification before a sale, and the leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee can review the package.

Israel-Gaza Conflict Intensifies, Killing Over 100 in First Three Days of 2025

HamasGazaIsraelConflictWar

The war between Israel and Hamas has been raging on in 2025, with over 100 people killed in the Gaza Strip in the first three days of the year. Israel has threatened to intensify its strikes in Gaza if Hamas continues its rocket fire. Palestinian rescuers have reported dozens of deaths from Israeli strikes, with at least 18 killed on Thursday alone. Israel's offensive has killed over 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials. Meanwhile, Israel has claimed responsibility for a raid in Syria last September, in which it destroyed a top-secret Iranian-led missile factory.

Gaza Babies Dying From Cold; Palestinian Woman Shot Dead by Security Forces

HamasGazaIsraelMiddle EastPalestine

Gaza Babies Dying From Cold:** Four infants have died from hypothermia in the Gaza Strip as temperatures drop and displaced families struggle to stay warm in tents. Palestinian Woman Shot Dead: Shatha al-Sabbagh, a 22-year-old journalism student, was killed in her home in Jenin by a sniper with the Palestinian security forces. The security forces claim she was killed by militants, but her family and Hamas accuse them of the shooting.

BREAKING: Netanyahu to Undergo Prostate Surgery After Health Scare

GazaIsraelNetanyahuHealthSurgery

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu** is set to undergo prostate removal surgery after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection resulting from a benign prostate enlargement. The 75-year-old had surgery for a hernia earlier this year and had a pacemaker fitted last year. The announcement comes after the Israeli military raided a hospital in Gaza, arresting its director. The country's war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip continues to rage.

What's happening with Netanyahu's health?

Middle East Tensions Escalate: China and Iran Oppose Big Powers’ Battleground, WHO Says Gaza Hospital Out of Service

GazaIsraelIranWHOMiddle EastChina

China and Iran have urged the international community to respect the sovereignty and security of Middle East countries, stating that the region should not be a battleground for big powers. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the last major health facility in north Gaza, the Kamal Adwan Hospital, is out of service following a raid by Israeli forces. This comes after Israel claimed to have intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, and the WHO warned that the systematic dismantling of the health system in Gaza is a death sentence for tens of thousands of Palestinians in need of healthcare. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the allegations of detaining hospital staff.

Israeli-Hamas Ceasefire Deal in Sight as Negotiations Progress

HamasGazaIsraelCeasefireHostages

There's renewed optimism for a ceasefire-for-hostages deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza by the end of the year. Both sides have expressed optimism, with around 60 living hostages and 35 bodies believed to be still in captivity. The incoming US president, Donald Trump, has urged for the release of the hostages, and Israeli and Hamas negotiators are reportedly 'the closest they've been to a hostage deal since the last deal'.

Amnesty Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza: A Summary

human rightsGazaIsraelAmnesty Internationalgenocide

Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, but Israel's foreign ministry calls the claim 'entirely false and based on lies.' The rights group says that Israel's military offensive in Gaza, which has lasted for 14 months, has killed at least 44,580 Palestinians and displaced most of its residents. Amnesty's report says that Israel's actions, including launching deadly attacks, demolishing infrastructure, and preventing food, medicine, and aid deliveries, meet the legal threshold for genocide. Israel's government spokesman, David Mencer, called the report 'fake news' and accused Amnesty of failing to address Hamas's genocidal rhetoric. The fighting in Gaza has devastated the region and pushed thousands to the brink of starvation.

American Hostage Killed in Israel-Hamas Conflict: A Heartbreaking Tale of Loss and Hope

HamasIDFIsrael-Hamas ConflictAmerican Hostage

In a heartbreaking turn of events, an American-Israeli soldier, Omer Neutra, was confirmed dead by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after being held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023. Neutra, 21, from Long Island, was serving as a platoon commander in the Armored Corps 77th Battalion, 7th Brigade. His family, who had been holding onto hope for his release, had to face another Thanksgiving dinner with an empty seat. Many hope that the incoming Trump administration may bring a change to the negotiations and secure the hostages' release. Three Americans are still being held hostage by Hamas, and the Biden administration is working tirelessly to bring them back home.

Israeli Airstrike Kills Five, Including Aid Workers

HamasGazaIsraelWorld Central KitchenAirstrike

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza has killed five people, including three aid workers from the charity World Central Kitchen (WCK). The strike targeted a vehicle carrying a militant involved in a Hamas attack. The IDF has called for an investigation into WCK's hiring practices. The strike occurred amidst a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid agencies are struggling to deliver aid safely. WCK has temporarily suspended its operations in Gaza.

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas Leader

GazaIsraelPalestineICCWar Crimes

In a major development, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense secretary Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al Masri. The warrants are for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war in Gaza that Israel launched following the 7 October attacks. The conflict has resulted in a staggering death toll, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting that Israel's military offensive has killed 44,056 people in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory since October 7, 2023.

Gaza Food Crisis Intensifies After Convoy Looting

HamasGazaIsraelfood crisislooting

Gaza Food Crisis Intensifies After Convoy Looting
A large food convoy was violently looted in Gaza, resulting in the loss of 98 trucks and worsening an already severe food crisis. Food prices have soared, with a sack of flour now costing £80 and milk powder £64 in some areas. Israel denies deliberately restricting aid, and Hamas has formed a new anti-looting force amid fears of famine.

  • Looted Convoy*: A convoy of 109 trucks was looted, resulting in the loss of 98 trucks.
  • Skyrocketing Prices*: Food prices have soared in Gaza amid an already severe food crisis.
  • New Anti-Looting Force*: Hamas has formed a new anti-looting force amid fears of famine.

Can the Gaza food crisis be contained?

Israel Demands Ceasefire in Gaza as UN Security Council Circulates Draft Resolution

GazaIsraelceasefireUN Security CouncilPalestinian refugees

Israel Demands Ceasefire in Gaza as UN Security Council Circulates Draft Resolution: The UN Security Council is considering a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Israel's closest ally and biggest weapons supplier, the US, holds the key to whether the resolution will be adopted. The draft resolution also calls for the immediate release of all hostages seized during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023 and access to humanitarian aid and essential services for Gaza's civilian population. In related news, Israel has banned the UN agency responsible for providing education, health care, and other basic services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the region, leading to concerns about 'devastating consequences'.

HRW Accuses Israel of War Crime in Gaza: Forced Displacement of Palestinians

GazaIsraelUNWarCrimesHumanRightsWatchCrimesAgainstHumanityForcedDisplacementPalestiniansMilitaryPresenceBufferZoneEvacuationOrdersEthnicCleansing

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity through the deliberate displacement of Palestinians in Gaza.** According to HRW, this amounts to 'forcible transfer' and meets the definition of 'ethnic cleansing'. The report was published amidst mounting evidence of Israel's efforts to cut Gaza in two with a buffer zone and build new infrastructure to support a prolonged military presence. As many as 130,000 Palestinians have been displaced due to an Israeli ground offensive in northern Gaza since October. The UN has said 75,000 people remain under siege with dwindling supplies of water and food in the towns of Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun. **Israel has not yet commented on the HRW report.

Israel Fails to Meet US Demands for Gaza Aid, Aid Groups Say

GazaIsraelUSAidHumanitarian

Israel has failed to meet US demands for greater humanitarian access to Gaza**, where conditions are worse than at any point in the 13-month-old war, international aid organizations said on Tuesday. The Biden administration had called on Israel to "surge" more food and other emergency aid into Gaza, giving it a 30-day deadline that was expiring on Tuesday. However, Israel has only partially complied with four of the 19 measures outlined by the US, and has failed to comply with 15. The report, co-signed by eight international aid organizations, said that Israel's actions have made the situation in Gaza even worse, particularly in Northern Gaza. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said last week that Israel had made some progress, but needs to do more to meet the US conditions.

BREAKING: Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister Gallant Amid Gaza War!

GazaIsraelDefenseNetanyahuGallant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made headlines by sacking his Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant. The shocking move comes during the ongoing Gaza war against Hamas. According to Netanyahu, there's been a breakdown in trust between the two, which led to his decision. Gallant, who was reinstated in April, will be replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz. While Gallant kept his statement brief, Netanyahu urged everyone to 'stand strong against refusal'.

Attempted Assassination of Netanyahu and Deadly Strikes in Gaza: A Dangerous Escalation in the Middle East Conflict

GazaIsraelHezbollahConflictMiddle EastPalestineNetanyahu

Attempted Assassination of Netanyahu:** Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of trying to assassinate him after a drone targeted his residence in Caesarea. Deadly Strikes in Gaza: At least 73 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip, with several houses destroyed in Beit Lahiya town. The escalating conflict has left hundreds dead and sparked international concern. A Dangerous Escalation: The attempted assassination and deadly strikes mark a dangerous escalation in the longstanding Middle East conflict. Keywords: Israel, Palestine, Middle East, Gaza, Netanyahu, Hezbollah, Assassination, Strikes, Conflict, Escalation

Israel Confirms Killing of Hamas Leader Sinwar: What This Means for the Gaza Conflict

HamasYahya SinwarGazaIsraelConflict

Israel has confirmed the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who Israel believes was behind the October 7 attack. Despite his death, Israel has stated that the war in Gaza will not end. This event marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict, with potential implications for hostage negotiations and Gaza's political landscape. However, Israeli officials have said that their military campaign against Hamas will continue. Independent verification is still pending, and the situation remains fluid. Read more about the killing of Yahya Sinwar and its potential implications for the Gaza conflict here.

Multiple Airstrikes in Gaza Result in Civilian Casualties

GazaIsraelConflictMiddle EastPalestine

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in civilian casualties, with at least 15 people killed in an attack on a school sheltering displaced people. The IDF claims it targeted 'dozens of terrorists,' but children were reportedly among those killed. This comes after another school was struck in Nuseirat, central Gaza, killing 23 people. The situation in Gaza remains volatile and dangerous for civilians.

Has Israel Killed Hamas’ Top Leader Yahya Sinwar?

HamasGazaIsraelMiddle East

Israel claims it may have killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in a military operation in Gaza.** The Israeli military is investigating whether one of three militants killed in Gaza was Sinwar. If true, this would be a significant blow to Hamas, as Sinwar has been a key figure in the group’s leadership within Gaza since 2017.

Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians killed at least 15 people, including five children.** The Israeli military said it targeted a command center run by Hamas and Islamic Jihad inside the school. It is not clear whether the attack killed any militants.

This comes as Israel continues its more than week-old major air and ground assault in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Netanyahu Slams Macron Over Weapons Embargo Call

warGazaIsraelHezbollahFranceLebanonarms embargoUN peacekeepers

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for calling for an arms embargo on Israel. Netanyahu reminded Macron that Israel was created by the victory in the War of Independence, not by a UN decision. Macron's comments came amid Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and military operations in Lebanon. Netanyahu called for civilized countries to stand by Israel's side, while Macron said France would no longer supply arms to Israel. The UN peacekeepers in Lebanon have called for respect and an immediate cease-fire on all fronts. Hezbollah has clashed with Israeli troops in border villages, and the Lebanese Red Cross said some of its paramedics were injured by an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Sunday.