The latest round of cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo came to an end on Sunday, with little progress made towards reaching a resolution. Hamas reiterated its key demands, which were promptly rejected by Israel, leading to a further dimming of hopes for a lasting truce.

The talks had initially shown signs of progress, but these were quickly overshadowed by an attack on the main crossing point that Israel uses to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. As a result, Israel closed the crossing, citing a lack of seriousness on Hamas' part in pursuing a deal. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant even warned of a "powerful operation" in the near future, specifically in Rafah and other areas across Gaza.

Israel's absence at the talks, which were mediated by Egypt and Qatar, raised concerns about the prospects for a successful negotiation. However, reports indicate that the Hamas delegation has left Cairo for discussions in Qatar and will return to Egypt for further negotiations on Tuesday. This indicates that both sides are still willing to engage in dialogue, albeit with little progress achieved thus far.

In another setback to the talks, Israel ordered the closure of local offices belonging to Qatar's Al Jazeera satellite news network, accusing it of broadcasting anti-Israel propaganda. However, this ban does not seem to have affected the network's operations in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing pressure from hardliners within his government, continued to downplay expectations for a cease-fire deal. He described Hamas' demands as "extreme," including the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and an end to the ongoing conflict. Netanyahu posited that accepting these demands would equate to surrendering to Hamas, which initiated the recent hostilities on October 7th.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, on the other hand, expressed sincerity and positivity about the negotiations, emphasizing that ending Israeli aggression in Gaza remains their top priority.

Meanwhile, despite the cease-fire talks, Israel's government remains committed to carrying out military operations in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza where a significant number of residents have sought shelter from Israeli attacks. The closure of the crucial Kerem Shalom crossing, a major entry point for aid, further complicates the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Tension escalated when Hamas militants launched projectiles at the Kerem Shalom crossing, prompting Israeli fighter jets to strike the source. Around 10 people were reportedly injured, with three in serious condition. The duration of the crossing's closure remains uncertain.

The attack on the crossing occurred shortly after the head of the U.N. World Food Program highlighted the dire situation in northern Gaza, warning of a "full-blown famine" due to severe restrictions on food and aid entering the territory. While these remarks did not constitute a formal famine declaration, they underscored the urgent need for increased aid access.

The vast humanitarian needs in Gaza continue to place additional pressure on the pursuit of a cease-fire. The proposal presented by Egyptian mediators outlines a three-stage process that includes an immediate six-week cease-fire, partial release of Israeli hostages taken in the October 7th attack, and a potential Israeli pullout. However, Netanyahu maintained that Israel will not stop fighting until it achieves all of its objectives, including the objective of dismantling Hamas.

Despite warnings from the U.S. and others regarding civilian safety, Israel insists on targeting Rafah and rooting out remaining fighters in the area.

As the cease-fire talks continue with little sign of a breakthrough, concerns mount over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the potential for further escalation in the conflict.