Tel-Aviv : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given the green light for fresh discussions regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, following a ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) urging Israel to ensure urgent humanitarian aid reaches the people in the Palestinian territory. Despite a recent United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an "immediate ceasefire," fighting persists, including in the vicinity of hospitals.
Netanyahu's office announced that talks on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release will reconvene in Doha and Cairo in the coming days, aiming to provide guidelines for advancing negotiations that had previously stalled.
The conflict's repercussions extend regionally, with Israel reporting the elimination of a Hezbollah rocket commander in Lebanon, and several Hezbollah fighters allegedly killed in Israeli strikes in Syria, according to a war monitor.
The ICJ's recent order emphasized the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, stating that famine is becoming a reality. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, highlighted the human-made crisis, emphasizing the worsening conditions.
Despite earlier rulings from the ICJ mandating Israel to facilitate urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza, Israel rebuffed a case brought by South Africa. The latest ICJ ruling, while binding, lacks robust enforcement mechanisms. Meanwhile, Israel's military continues operations in Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest medical facility, for the twelfth consecutive day.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with both Israeli and Palestinian civilian populations suffering losses. Despite international calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian access, aid groups report that little has changed on the ground, with limited supplies reaching Gaza since October.
Israel attributes shortages to Palestinian logistical challenges, while humanitarian organizations argue that Israeli restrictions hinder aid distribution. In response to the crisis, some nations have resorted to airdrops, while others have established a sea corridor for aid delivery from Cyprus.
The UN warns of a collapsing health system in Gaza due to ongoing hostilities and access restrictions. Israel's military accuses Hamas and Islamic Jihad of using medical facilities for military purposes, a charge vehemently denied by the militants.
As tensions escalate, Israel intensifies strikes in Syria, targeting Iranian-backed forces and Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas. Mediation efforts for a Gaza truce by the US, Egypt, and Qatar have faced obstacles, even as tensions between Netanyahu and Washington rise over the war's civilian impact and post-war governance in Gaza.