Israel-Hamas: Intense Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip; “last chance” talks in Cairo

The Israeli army intensified its airstrikes on Wednesday in the Gaza Strip, where it has already taken control of the strategic border crossing with Egypt, the host country of the “last chance” talks with a view to an armistice agreement associated with the release of the hostages, reports AFP.

Early Wednesday, witnesses reported strikes in various areas of the Palestinian territory, especially in Gaza City (north), where al-Ahli Hospital announced the death of seven members of the same al-Louh family in an aerial bombardment.

The Israeli army deployed tanks to Rafah on Tuesday, took control of the border crossing point with Egypt and closed the two main access points for humanitarian aid (Rafah and Kerem Shalom), a measure considered “unacceptable” by the United States.

The developments come as Egyptian, Qatari and American mediators are holding talks in Cairo with a view to a ceasefire after seven months of war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

“All sides agree to return to the negotiating table” for a truce, the Egyptian publication Al-Qahera News said on Tuesday. Israel and Hamas “should be able to fill in the remaining gaps” to conclude a cease-fire agreement currently under discussion, a White House spokesman, John Kirby, said, saying he hoped for an agreement “very soon.” .

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the Israeli delegation in Cairo to “continue to be firm about the conditions necessary for the release” of the hostages and “essential” for Israel’s security.

According to the number two of Hamas’ political branch in the Gaza Strip, Khalil al-Hayya, the proposal accepted by his movement includes three phases, each lasting 42 days, and involves an Israeli withdrawal from the territory, the return of displaced persons and an exchange of hostages between those held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners with the aim of a “permanent ceasefire”.

Israel has so far opposed a permanent ceasefire until Hamas, in power in the Gaza Strip since 2007, is “defeated”.

The Israeli army is carrying out a “counter-terrorism” operation in “specific areas” in the eastern city of Rafah, after a call for the evacuation of tens of thousands of families from the same sector of the city that hosts 1.4 million Palestinians, according to the UN. This evacuation was announced in anticipation of a ground offensive promised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to eliminate the last battalions of Hamas, but also to “exercise military pressure” on the Islamist movement in order to obtain a possible agreement that meets “Israeli demands”.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also warned on Tuesday that the army was ready to “intensify” its operations “throughout the Gaza Strip” if no progress was made in freeing the hostages. (Agerpress)