Negotiations to end the bloody conflict in Gaza entered a volatile phase on Wednesday, as Hamas confirmed it had agreed to release ten Israeli captives under a proposed ceasefire deal, even as Israeli forces dropped 20 so-called “quake bombs” across the besieged enclave.
The dual developments of unprecedented aerial bombardment and a fragile diplomatic advance point to the complexity of efforts to broker peace in a region devastated by nearly two years of war.
The announcement from Hamas came hours after an Israeli air assault killed 74 Palestinians, bringing the total number of deaths at Gaza Health Facilities (GHF) to over 770. Eyewitnesses said the bombs unleashed on Wednesday “shook entire buildings” across densely populated civilian quarters in north and south Gaza.
Hamas spokesperson Taher al-Nunu confirmed that the group has endorsed the ceasefire framework during talks mediated by Qatari officials, though he warned that progress remains fraught.
“There are major sticking points,” al-Nunu said, highlighting Israeli refusal to guarantee the full withdrawal of troops and ensure sustained humanitarian access. “Israeli forces must stop committing genocide and allow the free and dignified entry and flow of aid to our people until we reach a complete ceasefire in the war.”
He emphasised that the proposal hinges on a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza, allowing room for deeper negotiations towards a permanent cessation of hostilities.
Also read: 27 killed in Gaza as Israel readies Qatar talks, Washington visit
Despite the grim situation on the ground, US President Donald Trump maintained an optimistic outlook, suggesting a breakthrough may be within reach.
“I think we have a chance this week or next week. Not definitely. There’s nothing definite about war and Gaza and all the other places that we deal with so much,” Trump told reporters in Washington. “But there’s a very good chance that we will have a settlement, an agreement of some kind, this week and maybe next week if not.”
Trump’s remarks reflect a concerted push from Washington to secure a ceasefire, although past efforts have repeatedly faltered amid deep mistrust and continued violence.
The Gaza Health Ministry, in a statement on Thursday, painted a bleak picture of conditions inside health facilities. “From day one of GHF operations, there’s been an orgy of killing, either by the Israeli military or the documented incident of GHF officers opening fire,” it said.
The use of ‘quake bombs', term used locally to describe high-impact munitions capable of destabilising large structures, has raised alarm among human rights groups. While the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have yet to confirm the nature of the ordinance, local residents said this was the first time such weapons had been used so extensively during the conflict.
Gaza remains under a near-total blockade, with international agencies warning of a humanitarian catastrophe if hostilities continue. Talks in Doha are expected to resume this week, with officials hoping to avert a further spiral into bloodshed.
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