Delegations from Israel and Hamas restarted negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, even though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling Hamas’s first set of demands “absurd” as he continues to plan for an expected attack on Rafah, a city in Gaza along the Egyptian border where more than 1.2 million Palestinian refugees have gathered, Politico reports.

Hamas wants Israel to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners its holding, and in exchange, Hamas has promised to initially release many of the remaining hostages it took during the October 7th attack, including women, the sick and the elderly, in addition to female Israeli soldiers it captured.  Hamas also laid out plans to release the remaining hostages after a long-term cease-fire has been agreed to.

Gaza is in the midst of a major humanitarian crisis as shortages of food, water and medical supplies in the besieged area are scarce.  Various nations and humanitarian organizations have tried to deliver supplies to the residents and refugees via truck convoys and airlifts with limited success.  On Saturday (local time), a Cyprian tug pulling a barge carrying 200 tons of rice, flour, lentils, beans, tuna and canned meat became the first vessel to deliver supplies via a new sea route to Gaza.  The shipment was arranged by Chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen, a humanitarian organization that helps feed people in strife-stricken regions.  A second barge will depart Cyprus when the final supplies from the first are distributed.