What's happened
Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas show progress in Cairo, with signs of compromise reported by Egyptian and US mediators. Israel remains committed to an offensive in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, raising hopes for a halt to the seven-month-long conflict.
Why it matters
Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas are crucial in ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties and a humanitarian crisis. The outcome of these talks will determine the immediate future for the people in the region and could potentially lead to a lasting peace or further escalation of violence.
What the papers say
According to Sky News, an Israeli official downplayed the prospects for a full end to the war, while The Guardian highlighted the struggle to reconcile Hamas's demand for a lasting ceasefire with Israel's aim to weaken the militant group. South China Morning Post reported on the significant progress in negotiations, with a proposal for a ceasefire in return for the release of hostages. The Independent emphasized the mounting pressure to reach a deal amid the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
How we got here
The conflict in Gaza began when Hamas attacked southern Israel, leading to a military operation by Israel resulting in thousands of Palestinian casualties. Ceasefire negotiations have been ongoing for months, with both sides facing challenges in reaching a lasting agreement due to differing demands and objectives.
More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world. Its metropolitan area, with a population of over 20 million, is the largest in Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East, and the 6th-largest in the world.
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Rafah is a Palestinian city in the southern Gaza Strip. It is the district capital of the Rafah Governorate, located 30 kilometers south of Gaza City. Rafah's population of 152,950 is overwhelmingly made up of former Palestinian refugees.
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Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.