**Title: Israeli Strikes Continue in Gaza Amid Peace Negotiations**
Israeli military forces intensified their operations in Gaza on Tuesday, marking the second anniversary of the Hamas attack that ignited the ongoing conflict. Residents reported heavy bombardment from tanks, boats, and jets, as the situation in the region remains dire.
The renewed violence comes as indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel began in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, focusing on critical issues such as Israel's potential withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas's disarmament. These talks are part of a broader U.S. initiative aimed at ending the war, which has resulted in significant casualties and destruction in Gaza since the initial attack on October 7, 2023.
Witnesses in Khan Younis and Gaza City described the early hours of Tuesday as particularly brutal, with Israeli forces conducting strikes from air, sea, and ground. In response, Gaza militants launched rockets into Israel, triggering air raid sirens in nearby communities. The Israeli military confirmed ongoing operations against gunmen within Gaza.
On the anniversary of the attack, various Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to resistance. They declared, "No one has the right to cede the weapons of the Palestinian people. This legitimate weapon ... will be passed through the Palestinian generations until their land and sacred sites are liberated."
In Israel, families of hostages taken during the 2023 attack gathered at significant sites to commemorate the day. Hilda Weisthal, a relative of a hostage, expressed her anguish, stating, "It's like an open wound, the hostages, I can't believe it's been two years and they are still not home."
Meanwhile, in Gaza, residents like Mohammed Dib voiced their hopes for an end to the conflict. "It's been two years that we are living in fear, horror, displacement, and destruction," he said, expressing optimism about the ongoing negotiations.
A recent UN Commission of Inquiry accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel has dismissed as biased. Despite the international scrutiny, Israel continues to assert its military operations are necessary to eliminate Hamas, which it accuses of using civilians as human shields.
The U.S. has been actively involved in facilitating discussions, with President Donald Trump announcing that Israel had agreed to an "initial withdrawal line" in Gaza, contingent on Hamas's confirmation. Trump emphasized the urgency of reaching a ceasefire, stating, "When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective."
As negotiations unfold, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical. Local health authorities report that Israeli strikes have resulted in over 67,000 deaths, primarily among civilians. The ongoing violence has led to widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
The Israeli government, while negotiating from a position of strength, faces internal pressures. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is balancing demands from hardline coalition members who oppose any ceasefire with calls from the public and hostage families for an end to the conflict.
As the talks in Egypt progress, significant questions remain regarding the future governance of Gaza and the potential for lasting peace. The negotiations are expected to continue for several days, with both sides seeking to address unresolved issues, including the disarmament of Hamas and the return of hostages.
The situation remains fluid, with both hope and skepticism surrounding the potential for a resolution to the two-year conflict.