Air drops into Gaza over the weekend provided a small amount of relief as the desperate situation on the ground spirals toward a full-scale famine. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that at least 15 children have died of dehydration and malnutrition in Gaza. Doctors are warning that Israel's severe blockade on aid is leaving them without basic food and medical sanitation. One of Gaza's main cemeteries has reached full capacity, unable to keep up with the constant stream of dead bodies.
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to meet with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz in Washington following her statement that Israel had no excuses for stopping critical aid. Officials from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are meeting in Cairo to revive cease-fire talks as time runs out with less than a week before the start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
Israeli officials have set a deadline for securing a deal before Ramadan, threatening a major military offensive in Rafa if an agreement is not reached. Israel is awaiting a list of hostages to be released and a response from Hamas on the number of Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged. Hamas, on the other hand, insists on a pathway to a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the return of evacuated Palestinians to their homes.
Benny Gantz's presence in Washington at this critical juncture is significant, given his role in the War Cabinet and his differing approach from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gantz prioritizes securing the release of hostages, while Netanyahu leans towards dismantling Hamas, potentially hindering hostage negotiations.
The U.N. aid agency in Gaza has accused Israel of coercing staffers into making false confessions about ties to Hamas, adding another layer of complexity to the already tense situation in the region.
