Hamas demands complete Israeli withdrawal in ceasefire talks

In a tragic incident on Tuesday, at least 11 people, including four children, lost their lives in an Israeli strike on a residential building in Deir al-Balah, Gaza.

As reported by Euronews, the strike occurred as part of Israel's ongoing offensive, which has now claimed more than 26,700 lives in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry.

The Israeli army continues to expand its assault, focusing on the city of Khan Younis, Gaza's second largest. Amid the conflict, Hamas's top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, stated that the group is studying the latest agreement terms. Priority lies in the 'complete withdrawal' of Israeli forces from Gaza, and talks for a long-term ceasefire are underway. Haniyeh revealed that the Hamas leadership has been invited to Cairo for further discussions.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with donor representatives at UN headquarters to address the fallout from accusations against 12 UN agency for Palestinian refugees employees involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas. Funding cuts from the United States and other countries have put the agency, crucial for Palestinians in Gaza, at risk. The White House hinted at possible funding restoration pending the agency's investigation.

President Joe Biden, addressing the recent killing of three American service members in a drone attack in Jordan, emphasized a reluctance to expand the war in the Middle East. While the responsible Iran-backed group is still under investigation, Biden expressed a clear stance against a wider conflict in the region.

The situation remains tense, with ongoing talks, investigations, and international efforts to address the complex issues in the Middle East conflict.

[With information sourced from Euronews]