Hopes are growing for a ceasefire in Gaza as Israel has been labelled a “pariah state” by some for its military tactics. 

Mediators are expected to meet in Cairo as early as Sunday to discuss the terms of a truce in Gaza. 

Sources believe Israel will not send a delegate, however, until it receives a full list of hostages who are still alive. 

Officials in both Gaza and the US have said there is a “deal on the table” for a truce, but the US has been urged to cut funding to Israel until the State complies with international law. 

Injured Palestinians, including children are brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital for treatment following the Israeli attacks in Dair El-Balah, 22-02-2024. Image: Imago / Alamy

Trocaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra said the current diplomatic approach towards Israel isn’t working.  

“As long as the US in particular continues to fund Israel’s military, Israel will continue to ignore pleas to protect Palestinian civilians,” she said. 

“Israel is acting completely independently, completely in breach of international law – it has effectively become a pariah state.” 

Food aid into Gaza

Yesterday, the US released 38,000 meals over Gaza and confirmed this airdrop was the first of what would be a sustained effort for the territory’s 2.2 million people. 

President Joe Biden promised to step up aid after at least 100 people were killed as they tried to get to trucks delivering food. 

The Red Cross’ William Schomburg, however, said the conflict should never have escalated to the need for food airdrops. 

“We welcome any increase in the flow of assistance coming into the Gaza Strip,” he said. “We see how desperately these people need this aid to survive. 

“At the same time aid should really only ever used as an absolute last resort, they logistically very complicated.” 

The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France, Jordan and the UK have already carried out airdrops. 

Since October 7th, much of Gaza has been laid to waste and more than 30,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands more injured, according to its health ministry.