With Gaza facing a ‘famine’, a ceasefire remains elusive

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, who is helping to mediate indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, expressed hope for a breakthrough, saying: “God willing, we will reach a ceasefire agreement in the coming days ” to bring “real aid” to the people of Gaza.

His comments echoed President Biden’s prediction earlier this week that an agreement to pause the war and free the remaining hostages in Gaza could be reached as early as Monday.

In a briefing for the news media on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he was reluctant to comment on Mr Biden’s prediction.

“I really hope he’s right,” Mr. Gallant said.

He spoke as Israel faces mounting international pressure to halt its devastating military offensive and growing domestic pressure to secure the release of hostages seized by Hamas and its allies during the October 7 attack on Israel, in which Israel says at least 1,200 people died. civil servants.

Without a breakthrough, the death toll from Israel’s military campaign in Gaza is approaching 30,000, according to the territory’s health officials, and citizens and aid groups have described food shortages as so dire that people have turned to leaves, bird food and other types of animal feed. for subsistence.

“Our lives have become very miserable,” said Aseel al-Louh, 23, a university student in Deir al Balah in central Gaza, who said she had lost 11 kilos since the start of the war. She said she eats one meal a day, usually some bread, hummus or canned beans. According to her, World Food Program nutrition bars were sold on the black market for six times the pre-war price of similar products.