GAZA CITY — Israeli air strikes killed dozens of Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Many of the dead were near aid distribution sites and residential buildings, the ministry said.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators continued shuttle diplomacy between Israeli and Hamas delegations in Doha as the negotiations struggled to produce an agreement. Both sides have discussed a phased truce that would pair a temporary halt in fighting with the release of remaining hostages and Palestinian prisoners, according to statements from the Qatari foreign ministry.

Israel's military said it had struck what it described as militant infrastructure and that it took steps to reduce harm to civilians. Hamas accused Israel of stalling the talks and continuing operations despite the negotiations, a claim Israeli officials rejected. The competing accounts underscored the deep distrust between the parties.

The United Nations and aid agencies renewed warnings over conditions in Gaza, where the World Food Programme has repeatedly cited acute food shortages. Humanitarian groups have urged all parties to guarantee safe access for aid convoys, saying that repeated fighting near distribution points has endangered civilians seeking assistance.

United States envoys have pressed for a deal in recent weeks, with President Donald Trump's administration signalling it wants a truce concluded quickly. A Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said talks would continue over the weekend, while cautioning that significant gaps remained between the two sides.