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Marwan Barghouti, the most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader, is not among the prisoners Israel plans to free as part of the new Gaza ceasefire exchange, officials said. A list of roughly 250 Palestinians posted Friday on the Israeli government website did not include Barghouti, nor several other high-profile detainees long demanded by Hamas, and it was unclear if the list was final. Hamas senior official Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that the group remains firm on releasing Barghouti and other prominent figures and is negotiating with mediators. Israel considers Barghouti a terrorist; he is serving multiple life sentences after a 2004 conviction linked to attacks that killed five people. Beyond legal labels, some analysts fear Israel is wary of Barghouti because he commands broad Palestinian support and could emerge as a rallying, post-incarceration political leader. Supporters compare his stature to that of Nelson Mandela; polls consistently show him as the most popular Palestinian politician and a possible successor to an ageing Mahmoud Abbas. Under the ceasefire arrangement that took effect Friday, Hamas is to free about 20 living Israeli hostages by Monday, while Israel will release roughly 250 convicted Palestinians and about 1,700 people seized from Gaza and held without charge over recent years. Many on the Israeli list were arrested during the 2000s—an era marked by the violent Second Intifada—and were convicted for attacks that killed or tried to kill Israelis. More than half of those freed will reportedly be sent to Gaza or forced into exile outside the Palestinian territories. The list includes figures such as Iyad Abu al-Rub, an Islamic Jihad commander convicted in connection with suicide bombings that killed 13 people, and the oldest inmate to be released, 64-year-old Samir Abu Naama, arrested in 1986. The youngest named is Mohammed Abu Qatish, arrested at 16 in 2022 for an attempted stabbing. Barghouti has long been a central demand in prisoner negotiations. He has tried to bridge Palestinian political divisions during his imprisonment — registering an electoral list in 2021 and leading a lengthy hunger strike demanding better prison conditions. His mix of nationalist politics and past endorsement of armed resistance has made him both a unifying figure for many Palestinians and a concern for Israeli leaders who fear his release could strengthen Palestinian institutions and challenge the current political order.

Israel launched heavy airstrikes early Saturday on southern Lebanon, killing one person and injuring seven, while temporarily blocking a key highway connecting Beirut to southern regions, the Health Ministry reported. The pre-dawn strikes targeted the village of Msayleh, hitting a heavy machinery business and destroying numerous vehicles. A passing vegetable truck was also struck, killing one occupant and injuring another, according to Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV. The Health Ministry confirmed the deceased was a Syrian citizen, while the injured included another Syrian and six Lebanese, among them two women. Israel said the strike targeted machinery intended for Hezbollah’s infrastructure rebuilding. Since the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war ended last November under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Israel has conducted near-daily airstrikes, claiming Hezbollah is attempting to restore its military capabilities. Earlier this month, U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk urged renewed efforts to end hostilities in Lebanon, noting that 103 civilians have died since the ceasefire until the end of September. The last Israel-Hezbollah war claimed over 4,000 lives in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians, and caused an estimated $11 billion in damages, while Israel lost 127 people, including 80 soldiers. The conflict began after Hezbollah fired rockets across the border on Oct. 8, 2023, following a deadly Hamas-led attack in southern Israel.

Israel has excluded Marwan Barghouti — the most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader — from the roster of prisoners it intends to free under the new Gaza ceasefire deal, officials said Saturday. Jerusalem also rejected other high-profile names long sought by Hamas, though it was not immediately clear whether the list of roughly 250 inmates published Friday is final. Hamas negotiator Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera the group continues to press for Barghouti’s release and remains in talks with mediators. Israel regards Barghouti as a terrorist leader; he is serving multiple life terms after a 2004 conviction over attacks that killed five people. Beyond his convictions, Israeli officials are said to fear Barghouti’s political influence. A longtime Fatah figure who has at times advocated a two-state outcome even while supporting armed resistance to occupation, Barghouti is widely viewed by Palestinians as a consensus leader. Some compare his stature to that of Nelson Mandela. Polls consistently show him as the most popular Palestinian politician and a possible successor to President Mahmoud Abbas. Thousands of Palestinians return to ruins as Gaza ceasefire takes effect Under the ceasefire arrangements that took effect Friday, Hamas is to free roughly 20 living Israeli hostages within days while Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners and roughly 1,700 people seized from Gaza during the past two years and held without charge. The proposed releases carry potent symbolism on both sides: Israelis view many of the detainees as terrorists responsible for deadly attacks, while Palestinians often regard those held by Israel as political prisoners or resistance figures. Most names on Israel’s published list are members of Hamas or Fatah detained in the 2000s and convicted for shootings, bombings and other attacks during the violent years of the Second Intifada. Several of those to be freed will be sent to Gaza or go into exile outside the Palestinian territories, the list shows. Among the prisoners slated for release is Iyad Abu al-Rub, an Islamic Jihad commander convicted over suicide bombings that killed 13 people in 2003–2005. The oldest listed is Samir Abu Naama, 64, a Fatah member arrested in 1986; the youngest is Mohammed Abu Qatish, who was 16 at his arrest in 2022 and convicted of an attempted stabbing. Hamas has repeatedly insisted Barghouti be included in any major exchange. Israel has long resisted such demands, in part because of the precedent of past deals: when senior Hamas figures were freed in earlier swaps, some went on to resume leadership roles in the militant movement. One oft-cited example is Yahya Sinwar, released in 2011 and later a key architect of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Barghouti, 66, hails from the West Bank village of Kobar and rose to prominence as a student activist at Birzeit University. He was active in both the First and Second Intifadas and returned to the West Bank during the 1990s peace process. During the Second Intifada, Israel accused him — then head of Fatah in the West Bank — of leading the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades; he has denied membership in the group but was convicted at trial and given multiple life sentences after refusing to recognise the court’s authority. Trump undergoes checkup at Walter Reed amid Middle East trip plans Throughout his imprisonment, Barghouti has remained a focal point in Palestinian politics. He registered an electoral list in 2021 for postponed parliamentary polls and led a 40-day hunger strike for prisoner rights. Analysts say his appeal crosses factional lines and that his release could strengthen Palestinian institutions — a prospect Israel’s right-wing government and, some analysts argue, President Abbas find threatening. Barghouti was last publicly shown in August when far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted video of an encounter with him in prison, warning that Israel would confront and “wipe out” anyone acting against the state. Source: AP

Tens of thousands of Palestinians began returning to the devastated northern Gaza Strip on Friday as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect, raising hopes for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. All remaining hostages are expected to be freed within days under the deal. Questions remain over who will govern Gaza as Israeli forces gradually withdraw and whether Hamas will disarm, as outlined in U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who unilaterally ended a previous truce in March, hinted that Israel could resume its offensive if Hamas refuses to lay down its arms. The latest truce marks a crucial step toward ending a two-year war that began with Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023. The fighting has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and displaced about 90% of Gaza’s 2 million residents, many of whom now return to find their homes reduced to rubble. The Israeli military confirmed the start of the ceasefire Friday, saying that 48 hostages — around 20 believed to be alive — will be released by Monday. Palestinians reported that heavy shelling across Gaza subsided after the announcement. Ceasefire clock starts in Gaza after Israel-Hamas agreement Netanyahu said in a televised address that Hamas must disarm and Gaza must be demilitarized. “If this can be achieved the easy way, so be it. If not, it will be achieved the hard way,” he warned. The Israeli military said it would maintain a “defensive presence” in the roughly 50% of Gaza it still controls after pulling back to agreed lines. UN to begin major aid delivery Sunday Meanwhile, the United Nations received approval from Israel to start delivering large-scale humanitarian aid into Gaza from Sunday, a UN official said, requesting anonymity as details were not yet public. The shipments aim to tackle severe hunger and famine conditions caused by Israeli offensives and restrictions on aid. The International Criminal Court has sought the arrest of Netanyahu and his former defense minister for allegedly using starvation as a weapon of war — accusations Israel denies. The planned aid includes 170,000 metric tons of supplies pre-positioned in neighboring Jordan and Egypt. UN and Israeli officials held extensive talks in Jerusalem over the past 24 hours about delivery routes and entry points. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said fuel, medicine, and other critical items have started flowing through the Kerem Shalom crossing, while calls continue for Israel to open more border points and ensure safe movement for returning civilians and aid workers. Israeli forces intercept flotilla bound for Gaza, detain over 140 activists UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said that in recent months, only 20% of Gaza’s aid needs have been met. Mass returns amid scenes of destruction A steady flow of people, most on foot, were seen traveling north along Gaza’s coastal road to check what remained of their homes — a repeat of scenes from a brief truce in January. Others moved south to different parts of the enclave. The destruction this time is even worse, following Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza City in recent weeks, which leveled high-rises and homes in what Israel said was an effort to eliminate Hamas’ remaining military positions. “There wasn’t much joy, but the ceasefire somewhat eased the pain of death and bloodshed,” said Jamal Mesbah, displaced from northern Gaza. In the southern city of Khan Younis, residents returned to find flattened neighborhoods. “There was nothing left — just some clothes, wood, and pots,” said Fatma Radwan, another displaced resident, as people searched for bodies under the debris. Casualties and humanitarian toll The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s ensuing offensive has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and injured nearly 170,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which says about half the dead were women and children. The conflict has ignited regional tensions, sparked global protests, and prompted genocide allegations that Israel rejects. Hostage and prisoner releases to begin soon Under the ceasefire deal, Israel will release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the remaining hostages. The list released Friday did not include prominent political figure Marwan Barghouti, long seen as a unifying Palestinian leader. Gaza peace talks gain traction on war’s second anniversary Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said all women and children detained in Israeli prisons will be freed. Egyptian and Hamas officials said the releases are expected to begin Monday, though they could start as early as Sunday night. Relatives of Israeli hostages expressed cautious optimism. “It’s a measured sense of hope,” said Stephen Brisley, whose sister and nieces were killed in the Oct. 7 attack. His brother-in-law was released earlier, but another relative is believed to have died in captivity. Trump’s postwar plan for Gaza Under Trump’s ceasefire framework, Israel will retain a long-term military presence along Gaza’s border with Israel. An international peacekeeping force, made up mostly of troops from Arab and Muslim nations, would oversee security inside Gaza, while the U.S. would lead a massive reconstruction effort. The plan envisions a future role for the Palestinian Authority, subject to major reforms — a condition that could take years to fulfill. It remains vague on the question of a Palestinian state, which Netanyahu continues to oppose. Source: AP

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas for the Gaza Strip came into effect at noon local time, the Israeli military said Friday, adding that troops were withdrawing to agreed-upon deployment lines. The announcement came hours after Israel’s Cabinet approved President Donald Trump’s plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of the remaining hostages and of Palestinian prisoners. Palestinians reported heavy shelling in parts of Gaza throughout Friday morning. The Israeli Cabinet's approval of Trump's plan marks a key step toward ending a ruinous two-year war that has destabilized the Middle East. A brief statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office early Friday said the Cabinet approved the “outline” of a deal to release the hostages, without mentioning other aspects of the plan that are more controversial. An Israeli security official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the withdrawal, said the military would control around 50% of Gaza in their new positions. Shelling continues through early hours After the Cabinet approval, Gaza residents reported intensified shelling well into Friday morning. In central Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, Mahmoud Sharkawy, one of the many people sheltering there after being displaced from Gaza City, said artillery shelling intensified in the early hours. “The shelling has significantly increased today,” said Sharkawy, adding that low flying military aircraft had been flying over central Gaza. In northern Gaza, two Gaza City residents told The Associated Press that bombing had been ongoing since the early hours, mostly artillery shelling. The managing director of Shifa hospital, Rami Mhanna, said the shelling in southern and northern Gaza City had not stopped following the Israeli Cabinet’s approval of the ceasefire plan. “It is confusing, we have been hearing shelling all night despite the ceasefire news,” said Heba Garoun, who fled her home in eastern Gaza City to another neighborhood in the city after her house was destroyed. Details of the deal A senior Hamas official and lead negotiator made a speech Thursday laying out what he said were the core elements of the ceasefire deal: Israel releasing around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, opening the border crossing with Egypt, allowing aid to flow and Israeli forces withdrawing. Khalil al-Hayya said all women and children held in Israeli jails will also be freed. He did not offer details on the extent of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Al-Hayya said the Trump administration and mediators had given assurances that the war is over, and that Hamas and other Palestinian factions will now focus on achieving self-determination and establishing a Palestinian state. “We declare today that we have reached an agreement to end the war and the aggression against our people,” Al-Hayya said in a televised speech Thursday evening. To help support and monitor the ceasefire deal, U.S. officials said they would send about 200 troops to Israel as part of a broader, international team. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not authorized for release.  

The Israeli military intercepted a nine-boat flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea early Wednesday as it attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, detaining more than 140 activists on board, according to flotilla organizers and Israel’s Foreign Ministry. The ministry said 145 activists — all reported to be in good health — were being transported to Israel for processing and were expected to be deported soon. The latest interception followed an earlier attempt last week, when more than 40 boats carrying nearly 450 activists — including European lawmakers and climate activist Greta Thunberg — were stopped while trying to reach Gaza with symbolic humanitarian supplies. That flotilla, part of the Global Sumud initiative, sparked international condemnation, mass protests in several major cities, and a one-day strike across Italy. Organizers of Wednesday’s flotilla, a joint effort by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza group, denounced the detentions as “arbitrary and unlawful.” The vessels, carrying limited food and medical aid intended for Gaza hospitals, had on board doctors, politicians, and three Turkish lawmakers. “Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on X. Organizers said the flotilla was intercepted about 120 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast. Footage shared by them showed fast-moving Israeli vessels surrounding the boats before troops boarded them. No injuries were reported. Some of the activists deported after last week’s interception have alleged mistreatment by Israeli guards — accusations that Israeli authorities deny. The renewed flotilla attempts come amid mounting global criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, where months of relentless bombardment have devastated large areas and killed tens of thousands of people. Israel and Hamas are currently engaged in the third day of indirect ceasefire talks in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, joined by senior officials from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The war began after Hamas launched a deadly assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. Forty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, around 20 of them believed to be alive. Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The ministry — part of the Hamas-run administration — says women and children account for roughly half of the casualties. Israel has enforced varying degrees of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized control in 2007, arguing it is necessary to contain the militant group. Critics, however, condemn the blockade as a form of collective punishment. After the war began, Israel tightened the blockade further, sealing off food, medicine, and essential goods for two and a half months, contributing to Gaza’s worsening famine. Flotilla organizers say their goal is to challenge Israel’s blockade and establish a maritime humanitarian corridor, as land routes have failed to deliver sufficient aid to the besieged enclave. Source: AP

Peace talks between Israel and Hamas resumed on Tuesday at Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, coinciding with the second anniversary of the militant group’s surprise attack on Israel that triggered the devastating war in Gaza. The renewed round of indirect negotiations is centered on a peace plan proposed last week by U.S. President Donald Trump, which aims to end the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya told Egypt’s Qahera TV that the group seeks guarantees of a permanent ceasefire as part of any agreement involving the release of the remaining 48 hostages—around 20 of whom are believed by Israel to still be alive. It marked his first public appearance since an Israeli airstrike in Qatar last month targeted him and other top Hamas figures, killing six people, including his son and office manager. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already accepted Trump’s plan, which calls for the immediate release of hostages, Hamas’s disarmament, and placing Gaza under international administration—conditions yet to be endorsed by Hamas. Netanyahu’s office said Israel was “cautiously optimistic,” describing the ongoing discussions as technical negotiations on a framework both parties have tentatively approved. Trump’s initiative has drawn wide international support. Speaking to reporters Monday, the U.S. president said he believed there was a “really good chance” of reaching a lasting peace deal. Global rallies mark Oct 7 anniversary as Gaza war’s toll deepens, protests grow worldwide Momentum appeared to build further as Qatar announced that its prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, would travel to Egypt on Wednesday to join the mediation efforts. Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Netanyahu’s senior adviser Ron Dermer are also expected to participate. Trump’s peace plan The U.S.-brokered proposal envisions Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza once Hamas disarms, to be followed by the deployment of an international security force. The plan also calls for Gaza to come under international governance, overseen by Trump and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair. In a statement Tuesday, Hamas reiterated its demands for a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, without mentioning the issue of disarmament. The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and abducting 251 others. Most hostages have since been released through ceasefire deals. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 67,160 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 170,000 injured in the ensuing conflict. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters but says about half of the dead are women and children. The United Nations and independent analysts regard its data as the most credible estimate of casualties. Gaza peace talks continue on war's two-year anniversary Several international experts, including those commissioned by a U.N. body, have said Israel’s military campaign amounts to genocide—an allegation Israel vehemently rejects. On Tuesday, thousands of Israelis gathered at the sites attacked two years ago to commemorate victims and hostages. During the memorial, a rocket fired from northern Gaza exploded nearby, though no damage or casualties were reported. In Gaza City, residents said Israeli strikes continued until early Tuesday, though there were no immediate reports of casualties. Humanitarian lifeline in focus Ahead of the latest talks, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres described the Gaza conflict as “a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defies comprehension.” Trump’s proposal, he said, “offers an opportunity that must be seized to end this tragic conflict.” Egypt and Qatar, which have mediated between Israel and Hamas throughout much of the war, are again facilitating the current round of discussions. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said Monday’s talks lasted around four hours. Witkoff, Kushner, and Dermer are due to arrive in Egypt on Wednesday, according to U.S. and Israeli officials who spoke on condition of anonymity as their trips had not yet been formally announced. A key element of Trump’s plan is to accelerate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where over 2 million Palestinians are facing severe hunger and, in some areas, famine conditions. Source: AP

Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have detained nine more United Nations employees in what the UN described as part of an ongoing campaign against its operations in rebel-controlled areas. The latest detentions bring the total number of UN staff held by the Houthis to 53 since 2021, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement late Monday. He provided no details on when or under what circumstances the latest arrests occurred, and Houthi officials did not respond to requests for comment. The Houthis have previously justified their actions by claiming that detained staff were linked to an alleged espionage network. Dujarric said the crackdown has severely hampered “the UN’s ability to operate in Yemen and deliver critical assistance” to millions in the conflict-torn country, calling for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all detained UN personnel, as well as staff from other international and diplomatic organizations. “They must be respected and protected in accordance with international law,” he said. In Geneva, Alessandra Vellucci, chief spokesperson for the UN, confirmed that all the detained staff are Yemeni nationals. She said the arrests have disrupted humanitarian work in Houthi-held areas, including those managed by UNICEF and the World Food Programme. “The majority of our Yemen staff are Yemenis — this is their home,” Vellucci said. “Their mission is to support their fellow citizens and save lives. They should never face punishment or fear for doing that.” The UN said the Houthis previously raided its offices in Sanaa in August, detaining 19 employees, including UNICEF’s deputy country director Lana Shukri Kataw, who was later released. The crackdown has prompted the UN to suspend its operations in Saada, a key Houthi stronghold in northern Yemen, following the detention of eight staff members there in January. The UN has also relocated its top humanitarian coordinator from Sanaa to Aden, the temporary seat of the internationally recognized government. Yemen’s conflict began in 2014 when the Houthis seized Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the government, but the war has since settled into a stalemate. In recent years, the Houthis have reached an understanding with Saudi Arabia to halt cross-border attacks in exchange for a pause in Saudi-led airstrikes. However, the group remains militarily active, exchanging attacks with Israel over the Gaza conflict and targeting ships in the Red Sea allegedly linked to Israel — prompting Israeli retaliatory airstrikes.

Peace talks between Israel and Hamas were resuming at an Egyptian resort city on Tuesday, the two-year anniversary of the militant group's surprise attack on Israel that triggered the bloody conflict that has seen tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza. The second day of indirect negotiations in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh are focused on a plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump last week that aims to bring about an end to the war in Gaza. After several hours of talks Monday, an Egyptian official with knowledge of the discussions said the parties agreed on most of the first-phase terms, which include the release of hostages and establishing a ceasefire. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meetings. The plan has received widespread international backing and Trump told reporters on Monday that he thought there was a “really good chance” of a “lasting deal.” “This is beyond Gaza,” he said. "Gaza is a big deal, but this is really peace in the Middle East." Trump's peace plan Many uncertainties remain, however, including the demand that Hamas disarm and the future governance of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long said Hamas must surrender and disarm, but Hamas has not yet commented on whether it would be willing to. The plan envisions Israel withdrawing its troops from Gaza after Hamas disarms, and an international security force being put in place. The territory would then be placed under international governance, with Trump and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair overseeing it. The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251. The devastating war that has ensued has upended global politics, resulted in the deaths of 67,160 Palestinians nearly 170,000 wounded, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, and has left the Gaza Strip in ruins. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but says more than half of the deaths were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the United Nations and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. A growing number of experts, including those commissioned by a U.N. body, have said Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip amounts to genocide - an accusation Israel vehemently denies. On Tuesday at the area attacked by Hamas two years ago, thousands of Israelis gathered to pay tribute to their loved ones who were killed and kidnapped. An explosion from Gaza echoed across the fields as they reflected, following the launch of a rocket in northern Gaza. No damage or injuries were reported. In Gaza City, meantime, residents said Israeli attacks continued until the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, though there were no immediate reports of casualties. A promise of humanitarian relief Ahead of the resumption of talks on Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the hostilities, which have created "a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defied comprehension.” “The recent proposal by US President Donald J. Trump presents an opportunity that must be seized to bring this tragic conflict to an end,” Guterres said. “A permanent ceasefire and a credible political process are essential to prevent further bloodshed and pave the way for peace. International law must be respected.” Mediators from Qatar and Egypt were facilitating the talks, meeting first on Monday with members of the delegation from Hamas, then later with those from Israel. Israel's delegation included Gal Hirsch, coordinator for the hostages and the missing from Netanyahu's office, while Hamas representatives included Khalil Al-Hayya, the group's top negotiator. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Monday that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were on hand to talk part in the talks and keep the president apprised. She did not comment on a specific deadline for concluding the talks, but said it is important “that we get this done quickly.” Part of the plan is to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza, where more than two million Palestinian are facing hunger and in some areas famine. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the organization was poised and ready to act. “The machinery is cranked up and ready to go as soon as we get the green light,” Dujarric said. “There are many thousands of metric tons in the pipeline of goods ready to enter” from Jordan, the Israeli port of Ashdod and elsewhere, he added.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in multiple Turkish cities on Sunday to show solidarity with Palestinians and support the aid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza. In Istanbul, the largest demonstration saw crowds marching from the Hagia Sophia to the Golden Horn, where dozens of boats flying Turkish and Palestinian flags awaited them. Protesters called for Muslim unity with Palestinians after performing midday prayers at the former Byzantine cathedral, now a mosque. Demonstrations were also held in European cities to mark the second anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry under the Hamas government, Israel’s attacks have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians. In Ankara, protesters waved flags and placards condemning the “genocide” in Gaza. In the western port city of Izmir, demonstrators expressed support for the Global Sumud Flotilla, which Israeli forces intercepted last week while trying to break Gaza’s naval blockade. In eastern Turkey on Lake Van, fishing boats, canoes, and divers carried Palestinian flags and banners as thousands cheered from the lakeside. “This oppression, which began in 1948, has been continuing for two years, turning into genocide,” said Recep Karabal of the Palestine Support Platform during a protest in Kirikkale. Support for Palestinians remains widespread in Muslim-majority Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged as a vocal critic of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.