Israel kills 13 in Gaza as Egypt hosts renewed ‘ceasefire’ talks

Major fighting has been paused since October 2025 under the United States-brokered “ceasefire”. But no agreement has been reached to implement a further US-backed plan for Israeli troops to withdraw, Hamas to disarm and Gaza ‌to be rebuilt after more than two years of heavy Israeli bombardment.

Hamas told envoys from the Board of Peace and mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye that ending Israeli attacks in Gaza was essential for any progress, according to sources from the group and officials close to the talks in Cairo who spoke to the Reuters news agency.

The discussions are expected to continue for several days.

Killings during ‘ceasefire’
Since last October, about 947 Palestinians have been killed and more than 2,900 wounded in continued Israeli attacks. Hamas fighters have killed four Israeli soldiers during the same period.

Apartment buildings, markets, vehicles and cafes have continued to be struck. Families have received displacement orders only minutes before their homes were bombed.

The Israeli military controls about 64 percent of the Gaza Strip, up from the 53 percent envisaged under the ceasefire agreement. Under the areas it controls, the Israeli army has forced the displacement of Palestinians and levelled remaining buildings.