Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Ceasefire Talks as Electricity Cut Off for 10 Days Affects 2.1 Million

Israel is set to dispatch a delegation to Doha, Qatar, on Monday to engage in further negotiations aimed at extending the current ceasefire in Gaza. This move comes after Israel intensified pressure on Hamas by cutting off electricity to the region for 10 days, a tactic intended to push for the release of more hostages. Hamas has expressed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and readiness to immediately begin talks for the second phase, which it hopes will lead to a permanent end to the conflict. The group has accused Israel of stalling the negotiations and violating the terms of the truce by not withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor as agreed. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem and Abdel Latif Al-Qanou have both emphasized the group's flexibility in dealing with mediators, including Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff. The ongoing blockade by Israel has led to severe shortages in Gaza, with the closure of border crossings for 10 days preventing the entry of essential supplies such as food and fuel. This has resulted in 6 bakeries in Khan Younis shutting down due to lack of cooking gas and a significant increase in food prices, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis affecting 2.1 million people in the region.