Over the weekend, leaders of the US, Egypt, and Qatar issued a joint statement reiterating their calls for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal. Israel and Hamas have been engaged in ceasefire negotiations for months.
It comes as Israel launched one of its deadliest attacks on Gaza in months. Israel says the attack was targeting a Hamas command centre.
There are also growing concerns the war could develop into a broader regional conflict.
Here’s the latest.
Ceasefire negotiations
The leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and a hostage release deal in a joint statement over the weekend.
The statement said: “The three of us and our teams have worked tirelessly over many months to forge a framework agreement that is now on the table with only the details of implementation left to conclude.”
The leaders called for “both sides to resume urgent discussion” on 15 August.
Shortly after the joint statement was released, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel would send negotiators to “finalise the details of the implementation of the framework agreement”.
In a statement, Hamas suggested it won’t return to negotiations because it preferred an earlier deal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden and the UN.
It comes days after the group – which Australia classifies as a terrorist organisation – announced it had appointed a new political leader, Yahya Sinwar. He is widely considered to be the architect behind Hamas’ 7 October attacks on Israel.
Gaza school strike
On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza killed at least 90 people, according to the Gaza Civil Emergency Service.
According to data cited by the UN, 39,000 Palestinians have been killed over the last 10 months.
The Israeli Defence Forces acknowledged the latest attack, but said it “conducted a precision strike against the terrorists in one specific building of the compound — an area where according to our intelligence, no women and children were present.”
The White House issued a statement following the attack, saying: “We know Hamas has been using schools as locations to gather and operate out of, but we have also said repeatedly and consistently that Israel must take measures to minimize civilian harm.”
The UN’s children fund added: “Schools and shelters must be protected, and this violence against children must stop.”
Regional war
As the war in Gaza continues, there are growing concerns it could develop into a broader regional conflict.
This is because Hamas’ previous political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Iran last month.
Now, Iran is expected to attack Israel, who it blames for the assassination of Haniyeh. Israel has not taken responsibility for the attack.
In recent weeks, the U.S. has sent additional fighter jets and warships to the Middle East.
In a statement, the Pentagon said this is “designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies.”
