A US-brokered ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took effect three months ago. But the second phase of the agreement hangs in limbo. Hamas has yet to return the last hostage, and Israeli troops continue to put civilian areas in their crosshairs.
A story in the Times of Israel on Wednesday suggests patience is running thin. A US official and other sources reportedly say Washington still wants to bring the final deceased hostage back and disarm Hamas, but is “not prepared to condition” phase two on either.
The next stage also includes the deployment of an international security force in Gaza. But it remains unclear who will participate.
The ceasefire has barely held up since taking effect. Israeli forces are still attacking Gaza while accusing Hamas of violating the deal.
Palestinian media said on Thursday that Israeli shelling killed nine people, including five children. Health authorities in Gaza say 439 people have died in the space of about three months.
And Gaza still suffers from a severe lack of aid. UN agencies and other groups recently declared the end of a famine, but many people are still at risk.