Conflicting reports over new Gaza ceasefire
As Palestinians return to Gaza’s second city of Khan Younis, from where Israeli forces withdrew on Sunday, conflicting information is emerging regarding the status of Cairo ceasefire talks, where Hamas and the Israeli government are represented, as well as delegations from Qatar and the United States. A Hamas official stated that no progress had been made, but Egypt's state-affiliated Al Qahera news channel quoted a senior Egyptian source indicating it had. Meanwhile, Britain and the United States appear to have marginally shifted their positions since the killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers last week. US President Joe Biden threatened to withdraw US support for Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza if Israel doesn’t do more to protect civilians, while the UK foreign minister warned that Britain’s support was “not unconditional”. Palestinians are returning to Khan Younis to find widespread devastation after four months of bombardment, including destroyed and damaged houses, schools, and hospitals. For more on why endless discussions with no progress in sight make the word ceasefire seem like a political buzzword rather than a meaningful solution, check out our most recent What's Unsaid podcast featuring Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, an independent journalist of Palestinian descent. Listen here.
What’s Unsaid | Gaza: Is a ceasefire enough?
A Kuwaiti-American journalist of Palestinian descent describes Israel’s disregard for the UN Security Council’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine.