Israel shells Gaza on war anniversary, amid Hamas talks on Trump plan

Israeli tanks, boats and jets pounded parts of Gaza on Tuesday, giving Palestinians no respite on the anniversary of the Hamas attack that led to two years of war and underlining the challenges at talks on US President Donald Trump’s plan to halt the conflict.

With no ceasefire in place, residents said Israel pressed on with its offensive after Hamas and Israel began indirect negotiations on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on key issues such as Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas’ disarmament.

The talks on Trump’s plan are widely seen as the most promising yet for ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people.

Militants also took 251 people hostage in Gaza, of whom 47 remain captive, including 25 the Israeli military says are dead.

Qatar takes cautious line on talks

But Qatar, which has mediated in previous attempts to secure a ceasefire along with the United States and Egypt, said many details still have to be ironed out.