Trump leaves, Gaza ceasefire talks resume even as Israeli assault leaves hundreds dead in 72 hours

Israel has launched what it is calling “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” and is preparing to take more ground in Gaza. The operation began shortly after US President Donald Trump visited the region. Israel has also blocked all supplies into Gaza since early March, raising international concern over the humanitarian situation for Gaza’s 2.3 million people.

Hamas official Taher Al-Nono told Reuters that talks with the Israeli delegation resumed in Doha on Saturday. “The Hamas delegation outlined the position of the group and the necessity to end the war, swap prisoners, the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and allowing humanitarian aid and all the needs of the people of Gaza back into the strip,” he said.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that negotiations were ongoing. In a statement shared with Reuters, he said talks had started in Doha without a ceasefire or lifting of the blockade being agreed to in advance.

The Israeli military said it was carrying out wide-ranging airstrikes and moving ground troops into Gaza to gain “operational control” in certain areas.

Health authorities in Gaza reported that many of those killed on Saturday were in Beit Lahiya, the Jabalia refugee camp, and Khan Younis. Officials said 459 people were wounded. Israeli forces had told residents to leave northern Gaza on Friday.

In a statement, Hamas said, “Northern Gaza is witnessing a systematic campaign of extermination,” and urged Arab leaders meeting in Baghdad to take steps to stop the offensive and open routes for aid.

Efforts to restore a ceasefire have failed since March. Hamas has said it will only release remaining hostages if Israel stops its attacks. Israel insists it will continue until Hamas is dismantled.

At the Arab League summit, Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi said Israel’s military campaign was aimed at “obliterating and annihilating” Palestinians and removing them from Gaza. Egypt and Qatar are both mediators in the talks.

United Nations officials have warned that famine is approaching in Gaza. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher asked the Security Council this week whether it would act to “prevent genocide”.

Israel has blamed Hamas for the suffering of civilians, saying the group hides among them and interferes with aid. Hamas denies these claims. Israel says enough food entered Gaza during a temporary ceasefire earlier this year to prevent a hunger crisis.

On Friday, US President Trump acknowledged the worsening conditions in Gaza. A US-funded group plans to deliver aid by the end of May, using private American companies. The UN has said it will not cooperate with the group because it lacks neutrality and independence.

Hospitals in Gaza are struggling. The head of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, Marwan Al-Sultan, posted on social media: “Since midnight, we have received 58 martyrs, while a large number of victims remain under the rubble. The situation inside the hospital is catastrophic.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this month that Israel was preparing for a larger offensive and could take full control of the Gaza Strip to manage aid and security.

According to Gaza health officials, over 53,000 people have died since the war began in October 2023, after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages.

Reuters also reported that, according to unnamed sources, the Trump administration is working on a plan to relocate up to one million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya. Palestinian political leaders strongly oppose any such move.