Gaza truce talks resume

75 killed overnight in Israeli bombardment

FE Team | Published: March 31, 2024 22:10:15

GAZA STRIP, Mar 31 (AFP/BBC): Deadly airstrikes pounded the Gaza Strip as talks towards a truce between Israel and Hamas were set to resume in Cairo on Sunday, according to Egyptian state television.
Heavy fighting raged on in the besieged Palestinian territory, including in or around several hospitals, in the nearly six-month-old war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack.
As an Israel siege has deepened the humanitarian crisis, an aid delivery inside Gaza descended into deadly chaos with shots fired and a stampede before dawn on Saturday.
At least five people were killed and dozens wounded, according to a Red Crescent paramedic, while the Israeli army said it had "no record of the incident described".
At least 75 people were killed overnight in new Israeli bombardment and ground combat, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.
Pope Francis calls for
ceasefire in Gaza
Pope Francis has used his traditional Easter message to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and for the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The 87-year-old pontiff led Easter Mass at the Vatican in front of thousands, despite concerns over his health.
Referring to conflicts around the world, the Pope pleaded not to "yield to the logic of weapons and rearming". "Peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts," he said.
Tens of thousands of worshippers gathered in St Peter's Square to hear the Pope.
The fighting has raged on unabated despite a UN Security Council resolution last Monday that demanded an "immediate ceasefire" and the release of all hostages held by militants.
Tensions have risen over the spiralling civilian death toll between Israel and its chief backer the United States, especially over Israeli threats to send ground forces into Gaza's crowded far-southern city of Rafah.
The war began with Hamas's October 7 attack that resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 32,782 people, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Palestinian militants also seized some 250 hostages. Israel believes about 130 remain in Gaza, including 34 who are presumed dead.
Under intense pressure to bring the captives home, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday approved a new round of ceasefire talks to take place in Doha and Cairo.