Tel-Aviv/Gaza - In the wake of the first successful US airdrop of aid into Gaza, the Defense Department is gearing up for additional drops in the coming days, as confirmed by a White House official. This move comes amidst escalating tensions in the region and ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

According to reports, a senior official in US President Joe Biden's administration indicated that Israel has tentatively agreed to a six-week ceasefire proposal in Gaza, awaiting confirmation from Hamas. The recent US airdrop, conducted in partnership with Jordan, has seen Palestinian civilians distributing tens of thousands of meals among themselves, albeit concerns linger over the adequacy of aid reaching Gaza.

Despite the aid efforts, criticism has emerged from aid agencies, questioning the effectiveness of US airdrop plans. The United Nations has sounded alarms over the looming threat of famine in Gaza, exacerbated by Israel's purported obstruction of aid deliveries.

Negotiations for a ceasefire-hostage deal are reportedly underway, with a senior Biden administration official suggesting that Israel has shown willingness to accept a "framework deal." However, the impasse lies in Hamas' reluctance to agree to the release of a "defined category of vulnerable hostages." Talks are ongoing, with Cairo slated as the venue for further discussions, although the exact timing remains unclear.

Against this backdrop, US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to meet with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz on Monday. Gantz's earlier warnings of expanding military operations in Rafah if Hamas-held hostages are not released before Ramadan underscore the urgency of the situation.

Meanwhile, tensions escalate as Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) calls upon residents of the West Bank and Jerusalem to launch attacks on Israeli checkpoints and roads during Ramadan. The group, considered the second-largest militant faction in Gaza, is believed to be holding hostages alongside Hamas.

The volatile situation was underscored by an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp near a maternity hospital in Rafah, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 people, including two health workers, according to Gaza's health ministry. While the Israel Defense Forces claimed to target PIJ in Rafah, the strike raised concerns over civilian casualties.

In the United States, political tensions spilled over as pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a campaign speech by First Lady Jill Biden in Arizona.