Israeli strikes in Gaza continue as Egypt and Qatar mediate indirect cease-fire talks

Amna Nawaz:

The top leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was in Cairo today speaking with Egyptian officials who are one set of mediators in talks that could renew a deal for a cease-fire and hostage swap in Gaza.

In the meantime, Israeli operations in Gaza continue. The death toll among Palestinians, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry, topped 20,000 people there since those terror attacks of October 7.

Man:

The Security Council has agreed to continue negotiations today to allow for additional time for diplomacy.

Amna Nawaz:

For the third day in a row, the U.N. Security Council delayed its vote on a bid for a humanitarian cease-fire, with hopes of avoiding a U.S. veto.

Earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was working to — quote — "resolve outstanding issues in the resolution."

Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State: The purpose of the resolution, as stated by the countries that put it forward, is to facilitate and help expand humanitarian assistance that's getting into Gaza. And we fully support that. In fact, the United States, from day one, has, I would argue, done more than any other country to make sure that that could happen.

Amna Nawaz:

Advocates for a cease-fire say time is running out for humanitarian aid to reach the Palestinians who need it most. In a grim assessment, UNICEF now estimates that each displaced child in the Gaza Strip has access to just 1.5 to two liters of water a day, far less than what's needed as a bare minimum for survival.

Samar Abu Louly, Displaced Gazan (through interpreter):

This is not life. We already lack electricity, water, gas, food and drink. We have nothing.

Amna Nawaz:

Just north of the Egyptian border, clusters of tents for the displaced now resemble sprawling city blocks, the backdrop to the crisis on the ground in Rafah huge plumes of smoke. An Israeli airstrike here forced dozens of people to flee for their lives, the youngest ferried away in ambulances.

In Khan Yunis, children cling to their parents inside hospitals crowded with the injured and outside overwhelmed with bodies being prepared for burial. Yesterday, the IDF called the southern city the — quote — "new city of terror" and today released this video from the north showing a spiral staircase leading down to a massive network of underground tunnels. They claimed it runs directly into the homes of several Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar's.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that a cease-fire is not up for debate.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister (through interpreter):

We continue the war until the end. Those who think we will stop are not connected to reality. We will not stop fighting until we achieve all of the goals we have set, the elimination of Hamas, the release of our hostages, and the removal of the threat from Gaza. We are attacking Hamas with infernal fire.

Amna Nawaz:

Meanwhile, in the Red Sea, Houthi leaders threatened to target U.S. warships if the U.S. fires towards Yemen.

Abdel-Malek Al-Houthi, Houthi Leader (through interpreter):

We will not stand by idly if the Americans are tempted to escalate further and commit foolishness by targeting our country or waging war against it. Any American targeting of our country will be targeted by us.

Amna Nawaz:

The rebel group also warned countries not to join the U.S. coalition aimed at countering attacks on commercial vessels, as well as stunting a wider regional conflict.