Hopes Fade of Gaza Cease-Fire Before Ramadan After Failed Talks
- Hamas spurns Israel’s six-week pause offer; says war must end
- Aid groups struggling to get assistance to starving Gazans
Displaced peoples carry belongings through Khan Yunis in Gaza on March 6.
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Efforts to secure a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war before the expected start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Sunday appear to be failing, frustrating the delivery of urgent aid into Gaza and increasing the risk of a wider conflict.
Israeli and US officials say weeks of negotiations involving Egypt and Qatar have led to a proposed six-week halt to fighting and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in return for dozens of Israeli hostages. That may have enabled the delivery of food and medicine to the two million besieged Gazans as the month of prayer and fasting begins.