Children are seen examining the aftermath of an Israeli bombardment on tents housing Palestinians displaced from Beit Lahia in a camp in Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip on December 25, 2024. This occurred during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian region. The image is credited to Bashar Taleb—AFP via Getty Images.
Tragically, a baby girl succumbed to the freezing temperatures overnight in Gaza while ceasefire negotiations were hindered by accusations traded between Israel and Hamas. The 3-week-old infant was the third to perish due to the cold in Gaza’s tent camps in recent days, according to doctors. These deaths shed light on the dire conditions faced by hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have sought refuge in makeshift tents following Israeli attacks and offensives.
The Israeli bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 45,000 Palestinians, with a significant number being women and children, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. This offensive has caused extensive destruction and forced the displacement of approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom have been displaced multiple times. As winter sets in, hundreds of thousands find themselves crammed into tent camps along the coast, facing shortages of essential items such as blankets, warm clothing, and firewood.
While Israel has increased the amount of aid entering Gaza, allowing an average of 130 trucks per day this month compared to around 70 in previous months, challenges persist. Despite the increase, aid distribution remains constrained due to restrictions imposed by Israeli forces and challenges related to lawlessness and theft.
The father of the infant, 3-week-old Sila Mahmoud al-Faseeh, recounted his efforts to keep his daughter warm in their tent in the Muwasi area outside Khan Younis. Unfortunately, the harsh conditions proved fatal, with Sila succumbing to hypothermia as temperatures dropped to 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit). Medical professionals confirmed her cause of death and noted two other infants had also passed away from hypothermia in the same period.
Efforts to secure a ceasefire faced hurdles as Israel and Hamas exchanged accusations, complicating negotiations over the release of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Despite some optimism in recent weeks, significant differences remain unresolved.
Israel has accused Hamas of introducing new conditions related to the withdrawal from Gaza, the prisoners, and the return of displaced people, which it claims is causing delays in reaching a deal. In response, the Israeli government has accused Hamas of going back on understandings that had already been agreed upon. Despite these tensions, both sides have stated that discussions are ongoing.
Israel’s negotiating team, consisting of members from its intelligence agencies and the military, recently returned from Qatar for internal consultations after a period of intense negotiations. The exchange follows an attack on southern Israel by Hamas and other groups on October 7, 2023, during which approximately 250 individuals were taken hostage and transported to Gaza. A previous truce in November 2023 led to the release of over 100 hostages, while some have since been rescued or their remains recovered over the past year.
Israel estimates that around 100 hostages still remain in Gaza, with a significant portion believed to have been killed during the October 7 attack or while in captivity. Although sporadic talks have been ongoing for a year, recent weeks have seen a renewed effort to reach a comprehensive agreement.
President-elect Donald Trump, set to begin his second term next month, has demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages, warning on social media that failure to do so before his inauguration will result in severe consequences. Families of the hostages are growing increasingly frustrated, urging the Israeli government to enact a ceasefire prior to Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
Following the return of Israel’s high-level negotiation team from Doha this week, hostage families in Tel Aviv held an emergency press conference, appealing for a ceasefire and a definitive end to hostilities. Shir Siegel, the daughter of Israeli-American Keith Siegel, whose mother was among those released after over 50 days in captivity, emphasized the urgent need for swift action. “There are moments when every second is crucial, and this is one of those moments,” she stressed.
An agreement under consideration involves a phased approach, encompassing a cessation of hostilities, an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and an increase in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip as outlined by Egyptian, Hamas, and American officials. The final phase would entail the release of any remaining hostages, the cessation of all hostilities, and negotiations for post-war reconstruction.
