A former US special envoy to the Middle East says the sticking point in ceasefire negotiations are incompatible demands being made by both sides. David Satterfield tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the US and Israel don't want a deal where Hamas is left with a "quite potent" force, and want the ability to strike in Gaza again when they deem necessary.
Hamas, meanwhile, is asking for a total ceasefire and an end to the war, he says.
Satterfield adds that he thinks an arrangement can be made that includes the release of some hostages and a temporary ceasefire, but whether that translates into a longer-term deal is another question.
Moshe Emilio Lavi, whose brother-in-law Omri Miran is being held as a hostage by Hamas in Gaza, says the families of the remaining captives are trying not to focus on the "chatter" around the progress of the deal.
Instead, they are directing their energy towards campaigning for their release and to "continue with our mission" to force Hamas to accept a "viable deal".
"If we focus too much on the news cycle, we'll lose our minds to be honest," Moshe says.
"I want this to end and I hope we will reach a resolution. Hamas needs to understand that for the sake of the people in Gaza and for the sake of the future of co-operation between Israelis and Palestinians, they have to let the hostages go.
"They have to dismantle and leave the Gaza Strip, so we can build something better together in the future," Moshe says.
Image source,Family Handout
Image caption,
Omri Miran is one of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza
The UN's World Food Programme said on Wednesday that
humanitarian needs in Gaza have "spiralled out of control".
"Hordes of hungry people" broke into one of its warehouses in search of food this week, it said, with initial reports two people died during the incident.
It follows repeated warnings from the UN and humanitarian organisations about a dire shortage of food and other supplies, and calls for Israel to allow in more aid.
The UN's Human Rights Office said almost 50 people were injured when crowds overwhelmed a new aid distribution centre run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the southern city of Rafah on Tuesday.
A senior official said the UN was still gathering information but that most of the injuries were due to gunshots and that "it was shooting from the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]". The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots into the air but not at the crowds.
All of this comes after Israel eased an 11-week blockade on aid entering Gaza - amid international pressure and warnings of a looming famine.
Israel says Hamas is responsible for the situation, and says it will provide for the humanitarian needs of the population of Gaza while taking what it deems necessary steps to ensure aid reaches civilians.
It says Hamas has been stealing aid meant for civilians, which the group denies doing.
