Kathmandu: The Gaza Strip continues to endure severe air strikes by Israel as the war extends into its tenth month. The conflict persists with intense fighting throughout the Palestinian territory, while diplomatic efforts are ongoing to bring an end to the violence.

Diplomatic Efforts for a Ceasefire:
Israel has announced plans to send a delegation to Doha to continue truce talks with Qatari mediators, despite existing "gaps" with Hamas on securing a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman confirmed the upcoming talks but acknowledged unresolved issues.

Continued Violence in Gaza:
Amidst the ongoing negotiations, violence has escalated in Gaza. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that six bodies, including two children, killed in Israeli strikes, were received at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Additional strikes in northern Gaza City resulted in six more fatalities.

On the previous day, a strike on a UNRWA-run school in Nuseirat killed 16 people. The Israeli military claimed their aircraft targeted "terrorists" near the Al-Jawni school. Operations were conducted across much of Gaza, including Shujaiya, Deir al-Balah, and Rafah.

Journalists and UN Employees Casualties:
Strikes have also claimed the lives of four journalists and two UNRWA employees. UNRWA has reported that 194 of its employees have been killed in the conflict.

International Mediation:
The United States, alongside Qatar and Egypt, has been mediating ceasefire negotiations, highlighting a "pretty significant opening" for both sides. US President Joe Biden proposed a pathway to a truce deal in May, which included a six-week truce, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza's population centers, and the release of hostages.

Hamas has recently conveyed new ideas through mediators to the US, which have been forwarded to Israel. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan emphasized that the responsibility now lies with Israel.

Hostage Release Efforts:
Pressure within Israel for a hostage release deal has intensified, with regular protests and rallies. Almog Mair Jan, a rescued hostage, expressed the importance of a deal for the release of remaining hostages.

Casualty Figures:
The conflict originated from Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,195 people, mainly civilians. In retaliation, Israel's military offensive has resulted in at least 38,098 deaths in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The war has displaced 90% of Gaza's population and left nearly 500,000 people facing "catastrophic" hunger.

Lebanon Conflict:
The Israel-Hezbollah conflict has seen daily exchanges of cross-border fire, escalating over the past month. Israel recently targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, responding to attacks launched from Lebanon.

This situation highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.