Tehran—Indirect peace talks between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending the ongoing war in Gaza and securing the release of the remaining Israeli hostages resumed on Wednesday in Egypt.
President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to join the discussions, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to CBS News.
The current conflict was ignited by a Hamas-led terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, with 251 others taken as hostages.
Israeli officials assert that around 48 hostages are still being held, and sadly, only 20 of them are believed to be alive.
In retaliation for the initial attack, Israel launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in significant casualties.
As reported by Hamas-run Ministry of Health, the war has claimed the lives of over 67,000 Palestinians to date.
Israel disputes this figure but has not provided an alternative estimate, while the United Nations considers the count from the health ministry to be the most reliable source of information available, given that foreign journalists have been barred from operating independently in Gaza.
Ricardo Pires, a spokesman for UNICEF, remarked this week that what he calls Israel’s “disproportionate response” has led to the killing or maiming of at least 61,000 children since the conflict began.
Moreover, UNICEF and the global charity Save the Children have cited alarming statistics, indicating that on average, a child dies every hour in Gaza.
James Elder, a UNICEF spokesman, noted the staggering rate of casualties, stating that
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