Cairo, Reuters. Talks are being held in the Egyptian capital Cairo between Israel and Hamas regarding the ceasefire in Gaza, but fierce attacks by the Israeli army continue on the Gaza Strip. Dozens of Palestinians were reported killed in these attacks on Sunday. 

Fighting continues in Gaza

The dead included four senior Hamas leaders who were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza City's Al Shifa hospital. Fighting continues in and around the hospital premises. So far, about 33 thousand Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli attacks that have continued since October 7, 2023.

The ongoing talks, brokered by Egypt and Qatar, are negotiating a six-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of 40 Israeli hostages. The number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for an Israeli hostage has not yet been determined.

The Israeli army has surrounded two hospitals

It is believed that Hamas currently has about 130 Israeli hostages in its custody and is bargaining for their release. Earlier, a week-long ceasefire has been signed in Gaza on November 24, 2023. During that time, 105 Israeli and foreign citizens were released. Apart from Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, two hospitals in Khan Yunis, another big city, have also been surrounded by the Israeli army.

There, the Israeli army is responding to rocket and mortar attacks by Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters with tank fire. Four people have been reported killed in an Israeli airstrike in Al Meghaji in central Gaza. Four people were also killed and several injured in Israeli bombardment in the nearby town of al-Balah. The Israeli army's siege of Gaza cities is making it difficult for food items to reach there. The United Nations has expressed fear of starvation in Gaza.

Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire in traditional Easter speech

Pope Francis called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in his traditional Easter speech on Sunday, according to CNN. Speaking to thousands of people in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square, Francis described the war as absurd and addressed the problems of Europe and the Middle East. In his address on Sunday, the Pope reiterated his appeal for an "immediate ceasefire" in the Israel-Hamas war, while also calling for "ensuring access of humanitarian aid to Gaza" and the "prompt release of hostages."