International condemnation mounted on Saturday in response to Israel's decision to militarily seize Gaza City, while little appeared to have changed in the territory scarred by 22 months of war.
Health officials said 11 Palestinians seeking medical care were shot dead in the past 24 hours and 11 adults died from malnutrition-related causes.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet with Qatar's prime minister in Spain on Saturday to discuss a new proposal to end the war, according to two officials familiar with the talks who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
Mediators from Egypt and Qatar are working out new terms for a cease-fire that would include the release of all hostages – both living and dead – at once in exchange for an end to hostilities and an Israeli withdrawal, two Arab officials told The Associated Press.
– “Close the country”
Families of the hostages gathered again on Saturday night to put pressure on the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid fresh concerns about the 50 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive and in distress.
“The living will be killed and the fallen will be lost forever” if the offensive continues, said Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is being held captive in Gaza.
She called on Israelis to “help us save the hostages, the soldiers and the state of Israel… Close the country.”
A joint statement by nine countries, including Germany, France and Canada, said they “strongly condemn” Israel's decision to carry out a major military operation, stressing that it would worsen the “catastrophic humanitarian situation,” endanger hostages and increase the risk of mass displacement.
They also noted that any attempts to annex or establish settlements in the Gaza Strip violate international law.
In a separate statement, more than 20 countries, including ceasefire brokers Egypt and Qatar, as well as Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, called Israel's actions a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation.”
Meanwhile, Russia said Israel's plan would worsen “an already extremely dramatic situation” in the Gaza Strip.
The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for Sunday.
Germany has said it will not allow the export of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
