Israel holds ceasefire talks with Hamas, as new floor operation in Gaza begins

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel’s navy on Sunday stated it has launched a brand new floor offensive in Gaza, as the edges entered their first spherical of great ceasefire talks in months.

The bottom operation comes following an intensified week of Israeli airstrikes – which Gaza well being officers say have killed round 500 Palestinians within the final 5 days, together with many ladies and kids.

“They’re gone,” wailed Raoutha Naser in a Gaza Metropolis morgue, mourning her sister and her sister’s youngsters, who have been killed in an Israeli strike Sunday morning. It killed twenty Palestinians, together with 5 girls and 5 youngsters, Gaza well being officers stated.

Israel says it focused a whole lot of Hamas websites and killed dozens of militants, and is vowing to regularly increase its offensive to extend navy strain on Hamas.

Israel can be planning to resume meals support to Gaza, with a U.S.-backed initiative aiming to start support distribution on Might 24, in line with an individual conversant in the group’s plans, who spoke on situation of anonymity forward of a proper announcement by Israel.

Israeli officers estimate that Palestinian civilians have seven to 10 days left of meals in Gaza, in line with a second individual conversant in the matter, who was not licensed to talk publicly and shared the evaluation with NPR on situation of anonymity.

Palestinians carry the our bodies of their kin killed in an Israeli military airstrike, throughout their funeral in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Sunday, Might 18, 2025.

Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

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Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

The U.S. says it’s “actively engaged” in Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks

Israel says ceasefire talks with Hamas started Saturday in Qatar and are persevering with. Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed CBS’s Face the Nation on Saturday that the U.S. is “actively engaged” within the ceasefire talks, that are aiming to attempt to free extra Israeli hostages.

Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi introduced talks have been ongoing, with no preconditions. Israel’s prime minister’s workplace says it’s prepared to barter the phrases of a everlasting finish of the battle, not only a momentary ceasefire. Israel’s refusal to decide to ending the battle has been a significant stumbling block to reaching a ceasefire.

It was unclear whether or not the talks would result in a breakthrough towards a ceasefire within the 19-month battle in Gaza. Israel’s prime minister’s workplace stated the top of the battle would require the “exile of Hamas militants and the disarmament” of Gaza, which Hamas has to this point refused.

The edges are negotiating a two month ceasefire, on the situation that about ten dwelling hostages are launched on the primary day of the ceasefire, in line with an individual who was briefed on the matter.

The diplomacy comes after a unprecedented week within the area. Hamas launched the final dwelling U.S. citizen held hostage in Gaza, saying it was a goodwill gesture to President Trump as he visited Gulf Arab allies. Israel despatched ceasefire negotiators to Qatar, because it ratched up airstrikes in Gaza.

A gaggle of Palestinians sit close to useless our bodies in Jabalia, northern Gaza, on Sunday, Might 18, 2025.

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Palestinians are fleeing strikes in north Gaza with little to eat

Palestinians in Jabalia in north Gaza say the Israeli bombardment, coupled with navy leaflets ordering them to flee, is probably the most intense sequence of strikes because the very starting of the battle, when Israel started its retaliation for the Hamas assaults of October 2023.

“This time is definitely different from the times before,” stated Kareem Joudeh, a resident of Jabalia. “Clear evacuation orders indicate the seriousness and intentions of Israel in this operation, and people are sensing the seriousness of the situation.”

Households fled on donkey carts, in vehicles and on foot, taking mattresses and what little meals they’d left. Some fleeing the north additionally took with them the our bodies of family members killed in current strikes, as a key north Gaza hospital, the Indonesian Hospital, went out of service amid Israeli bombardment.

Within the shade of {a partially} broken constructing, the seven-member Abu Nassar household took a break from their journey evacuating south, as airstrikes echoed within the distance.

Majdi Abu Nassar stated they fled after Israeli tanks rolled up close to their dwelling in Jabalia. He stated he noticed a fireplace blazing within the Indonesian Hospital close by. He stated he was carrying spoiled and infested flour, beans and lentils.

“We have no food,” Abu Nassar stated.

A person inside a ruined constructing in Jabalia, northern Gaza, on Sunday, Might 18, 2025.

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Particulars of Israel’s plans to renew meals provides to Gaza

Israel has been blocking all meals, medication and provides into Gaza for 11 weeks now, the longest ever whole blockade it has ever imposed on Gaza. Israel says its objective is to strain Hamas to comply with a ceasefire deal on phrases which can be favorable to Israel.

However Israel is relenting amid worldwide strain to permit meals into the territory. A United Nations-backed group of consultants on starvation stated there was a threat of famine in Gaza.The U.S.-led initiative tapped to distribute the help is a charity run by a U.S. navy veteran known as the Gaza Humanitarian Basis.

The United Nations and its companion support teams, which have run support distribution in Gaza all through the battle, stated they’d refuse to take part within the new support initiative, calling it an Israeli plan to weaponize support for navy functions. The Gaza Humanitarian Basis says it might function in line with humanitarian rules.

With the intention to obtain support below a proposed Israeli plan, Gaza’s inhabitants can be pressured to maneuver south in a brand new zone cordoned off by Israel’s navy. That is to forestall Hamas members from entry to assist, an Israeli protection official instructed reporters, talking on situation of anonymity with the intention to reveal particulars.

NPR’s Anas Baba reported from Gaza Metropolis, and Abu Bakr Bashir reported from London.