A complicated sequence of negotiations and military actions unfolded around Gaza, touching many nations and factions. Reports from Al Arabiya and TASS indicate that Hamas and Israel discussed a pathway to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, though the precise terms were not disclosed. A spokesman for Hamas confirmed that an agreement in principle had been reached, signaling possible relief for civilians amid ongoing hostilities.
Earlier discussions included France proposing a 40-day ceasefire in Gaza. This idea highlighted international interest in creating a pause to allow aid to reach those in need while giving negotiators a window to pursue longer-term arrangements. The proposal appeared in a broader context of international diplomacy aimed at reducing suffering on the ground.
The crisis escalated dramatically on October 7, when thousands of armed supporters affiliated with Hamas breached the border from Gaza into southern Israel. In the days that followed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war, setting in motion a sequence of military and security responses aimed at neutralizing the threat and rescuing hostages.
Israel described its operation as a multi-faceted effort designed to repel the initial attack, secure the release of more than 200 hostages, including nationals and residents of other countries, and dismantle the Hamas network. Immediate actions included large-scale rocket barrages toward Gaza from the onset of the operation, coupled with strategic steps by Israel to disrupt essential services in the targeted area. The National Security Council took measures to suspend water, food, electricity, and fuel supplies to Gaza to pressure Hamas and shape battlefield dynamics.
As the campaign continued, on October 27 Israel announced what it described as an expansion of the ground operation. By November 5, IDF forces had encircled Gaza City, cutting off an essential food supply channel and intensifying efforts to tighten control over the region. On December 5, the third phase of the ground operation was reported, with troops surrounding Khan Younis in the southern part of the strip, signaling a deepening of the offensive landscape and a tighter grip on major population centers.
On November 22, there were formal statements from both sides suggesting a humanitarian pause could be possible and that negotiations might include the release of some hostages. The ceasefire agreement was later signed and activated on November 24, commencing a period of reduced hostilities and humanitarian flow. The following days saw continued activity relating to hostage releases and the reshaping of humanitarian channels as conditions evolved. By the morning of December 1, the ceasefire period was in effect, with efforts to de-escalate the immediate conflict and to address the immediate humanitarian needs of those affected, although the situation remained fragile and dynamic.
Additionally, reports indicated that a diplomatic delegation would travel to Qatar to continue discussions with Hamas, potentially shaping the next phase of negotiations and humanitarian arrangements. The broader international community remained engaged, with efforts focusing on ensuring aid reaches civilians in Gaza while seeking a durable and verifiable path toward lasting quiet and stability in the region.