Gaza talks appear ready to stumble

Hamas said a delegation is travelling to Cairo to outline the group’s position on talks that may lead to a temporary cease-fire in Gaza — even as reports surface that it’s refused to give Israel the names of which hostages taken in October are still alive.

“We are keen to achieve a result that satisfies our people,” Osama Hamdan said in a statement issued by the media center of Hamas, which rules Gaza and is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and

Israel wouldn’t send a high-level delegation to Cairo unless Hamas provides answers to questions Israel has been seeking, a senior Israeli offical said

European Union.

Talks would be held Sunday and Monday, Hamdan added. AFP reported that a cease-fire may be secured “within 24 to 48 hours” if Israel accepts Hamas’ demands, citing a senior Hamas official it didn’t identify.

However, a senior Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said Israel wouldn’t send a high-level delegation to Cairo unless Hamas provides answers to questions Israel has been seeking. The official didn’t elaborate, but reports have said that among other things, Israel seeks information on the wellbeing of its hostages. Channel 12 reported that talks broke down before they even started, as Hamas failed to provide Israel the names of which hostages are still alive.

Malnutrition

At least 15 children have died over the past few days from malnutrition and dehydration at Gaza's Kamal Adwan hospital, the health ministry in Gaza said in a statement. “We fear for the lives of 6 other children suffering from malnutrition and diarrhea at the hospital’s intensive care unit,” Ashraf Alqidra, the Gaza health ministry spokesperson, said.