European officials have struck a new deal with Israel to allow urgently needed food and fuel into Gaza, the European Union’s foreign policy chief announced Thursday.
The news came amid reports that an Israeli airstrike killed 10 children and five adults waiting for medical care outside a clinic in central Gaza.
The announcement coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s departure from Washington, following meetings with US President Donald Trump. Despite the diplomatic efforts, no temporary ceasefire was finalised during the visit, though the White House continues to push for one.
Netanyahu stated that Israel is pursuing a deal that would include a 60-day pause in fighting and the release of half the remaining 50 hostages believed to be held in Gaza. Many of the hostages are presumed dead.
“If this can be achieved through negotiations, so much the better,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. “If it is not achieved through negotiations in 60 days, we will achieve it in other ways; by using force, the force of our heroic army.”
Netanyahu added that a permanent end to the war would only be negotiated if Hamas disarms and relinquishes its governing and military control in Gaza.
Despite the tensions, US officials remain cautiously optimistic. High-level negotiations, mediated by Egypt and Qatar and involving White House envoy Steve Witkoff, are continuing.
“We’re closer than we’ve been in quite a while, and we’re hopeful, but we also recognise there are still challenges ahead,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.