Hamas has announced plans to release the last surviving American hostage as part of conditions for initiating the second phase of ceasefire talks in Gaza.
Alongside this they will return the bodies of four deceased Israeli citizens. Israeli settlers attacked a village in the West Bank setting several homes on fire.
Gaza faces a worsening food crisis, with thousands standing in long queues for hours to buy bread. Despite ongoing ceasefire discussions Israeli forces continued strikes in the region targeting Rafah, Nablus, and Gaza City on Friday. Several casualties were reported during these attacks.
In occupied West Bank Israeli settlers reportedly attacked multiple homes, firing tear gas at Palestinian residents and setting fire to houses and vehicles.
Hamas stated in a statement that mediators proposed a plan on Thursday regarding the second phase of ceasefire talks.
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Blockade on Gaza’s borders has intensified the food crisis worsened by Israel’s fuel supply cut-off, forcing many bakeries to close. Hundreds of people now spend hours in line for a piece of bread.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that Gaza’s water crisis has reached a critical level with only 10% of the population having access to safe drinking water.
