Online Desk : Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed more than 40 Palestinians, including children at a water distribution point, as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked.

Efforts to broker a temporary truce have entered their second week, with Israeli and Hamas delegations engaged in talks to end nearly 21 months of conflict in the Gaza Strip. Despite international pressure, particularly from the United States, no breakthrough has been achieved.

Among the dead were eight children killed by a drone strike on a water point in the Nuseirat refugee camp, according to civil defence spokesperson Mahmud Bassal. Israel`s military admitted to a “technical error,” stating the intended target was a militant, but the munition fell “dozens of meters from the target.”

Additional strikes across Gaza reportedly killed at least 43 people, including 11 in a busy market in Gaza City. Khaled Rayyan, a resident of Nuseirat, described waking up to powerful explosions, adding, “Our neighbour and his children were under the rubble.”

Another resident, Mahmud al-Shami, urged negotiators to reach a deal, saying: “What happened to us has never happened in the entire history of humanity. Enough.”

The Israeli military stated that its air force had targeted more than 150 Hamas-related sites in the past 24 hours. Aerial footage released showed strikes around Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.

Due to restricted access and limited media presence in Gaza, AFP noted that it could not independently verify the figures and claims from various parties.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in 1,219 deaths, mostly civilians. Of the 251 hostages taken that day, 49 remain in Gaza, including 27 confirmed dead, according to Israeli authorities.

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says over 58,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s retaliatory campaign, a figure the UN deems credible.

Amidst worsening humanitarian conditions, UN agencies warned of a critical fuel shortage threatening services for more than two million people in Gaza. Only 150,000 litres of fuel were allowed in recent days — far short of the 275,000 litres needed daily, according to Amjad Shawa of the Palestinian NGOs Network.

In Doha, ceasefire talks aimed at a 60-day truce and hostage release remain stalled. Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel reportedly insists on maintaining control over more than 40 percent of the territory. A Palestinian source told AFP that Israel`s strategy may involve relocating large numbers of Palestinians to the south in preparation for possible displacement to Egypt or elsewhere.

A senior Israeli official said Israel is showing "flexibility" in negotiations, but accused Hamas of obstructing progress. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that long-term peace talks could begin only after a temporary ceasefire — and only if Hamas agrees to disarm.

Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages held protests in Jerusalem, calling on Netanyahu to secure their loved ones` release. "The absolute majority want a deal even [at the cost of] ending the fighting," said Yotam Cohen, whose brother Nimrod remains captive in Gaza.