Fears of renewed Gaza war as Hamas disarmament talks stall

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Fears of renewed Gaza war as Hamas disarmament talks stall26 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleYolande Knell ,Middle East correspondent, JerusalemandRushdi Abualouf ,Gaza correspondent, IstanbulGetty ImagesThe Israeli military and Hamas have accused each other of violating October's ceasefire dealCeasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled, and Gaza risks sliding back into war. This week an Israeli air strike killed the son of Hamas's leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, and Palestinian sources confirmed to the that the two sides had reached a deadlock in negotiations. Israeli media reports suggest Israel is preparing to resume fighting in the Gaza Strip because of the impasse and Hamas's refusal to give up its weapons.

"We understood, everyone understood that Hamas would not disarm, and they have followed through on their intentions," Michael Eisenberg, an adviser to the Israeli prime minister, told the , describing Hamas as "an unrepentant terrorist group". "Nobody in Israel wants to go back to war," he said, but added "all options are on the table right now. "Citing unnamed security sources, Israel's Channel 12 News has reported that Washington may give Israel the "green light" to resume "operations".

The Details

One of the main options it says Israel is considering is to expand the so-called "Yellow Line" marking some 60% of Gaza that has remained under full Israeli military control during the ceasefire. Locals say this is already happening. Israel insists that Hamas's approach to disarmament is in breach of the ceasefire deal which came into effect on 10 October.

However, Hamas insists that Israel is violating the agreement by failing to meet its humanitarian commitments and continuing deadly attacks. On Wednesday, a Hamas statement called on "the US administration and the guarantor states of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement" to "move immediately" to stop Israel's "aggression against the innocent people in Gaza". This came after Israeli air strikes across the Palestinian territory killed at least six people – including a Hamas commander and Azzam al-Hayya, a son of Hamas's top negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, who has been leading the indirect talks with Israel.

At least 846 people – including many women and children – have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israel says that five of its soldiers have been killed in the same period. ReutersA funeral was held in Gaza City for those killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday, including Azzam al-HayyaIn Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with most of its more than two million residents displaced.

What Experts Say

People are increasingly fearful that full-scale war could resume. "Honestly, I say enough war. We hope that the war doesn't resume.

There are still attacks until now," says Samah, a displaced mother in Gaza City.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.