UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for immediate action to prevent famine in northern Gaza, a disaster that he described as “entirely manmade”.

    Al Jazeera journalist Ismail al-Ghoul has been freed after 12 hours in Israeli custody. Israeli forces beat him severely when they detained him during a raid on Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital.

    Al-Ghoul described being forced to lie on his stomach for 12 hours blindfolded with hands tied, as Israeli forces opened fire near detainees to cause fear.

    Israeli officials have told US and Israeli media that indirect talks with Hamas has begin in Qatari capital, Doha.

    At least 31,726 Palestinians have been killed and 73,792 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attack stands at 1,139 with dozens taken captive.

    Trudeau raises concern over Rafah offensive in call with Israeli minister

    More on the phone call between Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz.

    Trudeau’s office has released a statement saying that the Canadian leader shared concerns over the planned Israeli offensive on Rafah, highlighting “the severe humanitarian implications” of such a move for all civilians taking refuge in the southern city.

    The prime minister also “underscored the need to increase the volume of life-saving humanitarian aid for civilians and to ensure aid reaches all those in need, safely and without delay”, it said.

    Earlier, Gantz posted on X saying he spoke out against a parliamentary resolution in Canada that calls for the official recognition of the State of Palestine.

    Israel, Hamas begin truce talks in Doha: Reports

    US and Israeli media outlets say Israel and Hamas have resumed indirect negotiations in Qatar’s capital, Doha.

    Axios, citing two unnamed Israeli officials and a source with direct knowledge, said the Israeli delegation headed by Mossad chief David Barnea met with Qatari and Egyptian mediators led by Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

    A senior Israeli official told the US news website that the current round of talks could take at least two weeks and that the Israeli delegation will stay in Doha for the detailed talks with Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

    The mediators are moving between Israeli and Hamas delegations who are located in separate parts of the same compound in Doha, the official said.

    “It is going to be a long, difficult and complex process but we want to try and get a deal,” the official was quoted as saying.

    The Time of Israel news website, citing other Israeli media outlets, also said talks have kicked off. It added that Barnea was likely to return to Israel on Tuesday, while the Israeli negotiating team would remain in Doha.

    There was no immediate comment from Hamas or the mediating countries.