Hamas, the Gaza Strip’s control group, has stopped hostage releases until Israel ceases aggression. Israel killed over 2,000 Hamas fighters since a truce, and around 120 people remain in captivity. The UN is working on a resolution, with the US having concerns over the draft. The UN warns of famine risk if the war persists.
Negotiations for a new truce in Cairo have not reached an agreement, with Hamas stating that prisoners and exchange deals should only be discussed after aggression cessation.
Why are Israel and Hamas fighting in Gaza?
The Israeli government faces pressure from relatives of hostages and Hamas, who pressures Israel to stop the war. The government is reluctant to stop fighting until Hamas’ capabilities are degraded, which could be disappointing for Gaza’s people. The Israeli report of 2,000 Hamas deaths in Gaza comes after the death toll since 7 October.