Resumption of Ceasefire Negotiations as Rafah Faces Attacks in Israel-Gaza Conflict

According to Egyptian media, negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have resumed in Cairo. Senior officials from the US, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar are meeting to discuss the ongoing conflict. Israel is facing international pressure to stop its bombardment of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where approximately 1.5 million people are living in cramped conditions with fears of an Israeli ground offensive. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected ceasefire proposals from Hamas last week, calling them "delusional." He believes that it is possible to achieve "total victory" in Gaza within months. Netanyahu has ordered Israeli troops to prepare for an expansion of their ground operation and has vowed to defeat Hamas gunmen hiding in Rafah. However, the UN human rights chief has warned against any assault, stating that it would be "terrifying" and would likely result in the deaths of many civilians. US President Joe Biden has called for the protection of civilians in the area. Despite Israel's rejection of Hamas's terms, negotiations in Cairo are ongoing, with officials from the US, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar involved. The discussions are focusing on a three-phase framework that includes the release of remaining Israeli hostages and an extended pause in the conflict. Qatar, Egypt, and the US have been mediating between Israel and Hamas in an attempt to broker a deal. Israel reports that 134 hostages remain unaccounted for out of the 253 taken by Hamas-led gunmen during the October 7 attacks on southern Israel. Over 1,200 people were killed during these attacks, leading to Israel launching military operations in response. Since October 7, more than 28,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 68,000 wounded in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The city of Rafah, which previously had a population of 250,000, is now home to over half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million. Many of the displaced people are living in dire conditions, lacking access to clean water and food. Several countries and international organizations, including the UK and EU, have warned Israel against launching its planned offensive in Rafah. Saudi Arabia has also cautioned about the "very serious repercussions" that could result from storming Rafah.