350 Israeli Authors Urge End to Gaza Conflict

In a collective plea, 350 Israeli authors have urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the ongoing Gaza conflict and secure the release of 59 hostages held by Hamas, criticizing Netanyahu’s reluctance to finalize a deal with Hamas, which they allege is driven by personal political motives. Meanwhile, negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain stalled, with both parties maintaining rigid stances; Israel demands Hamas' disarmament, while Hamas insists on a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Despite Egypt's mediation efforts, recent talks in Cairo failed to produce a breakthrough, as Hamas rejected proposals not aligning with their core demands for a comprehensive ceasefire. Thousands of Israeli reservists have expressed support for ending the conflict, accusing the government of pursuing a 'political' war, a move Netanyahu dismisses as anarchistic. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 1,500 Palestinians killed since hostilities resumed, and has exacerbated humanitarian conditions in Gaza.