Hamas’s top leader traveled to Cairo on Wednesday for talks on the war in Gaza, part of a flurry of diplomacy aimed at securing another ceasefire and hostage exchange as the militant group mounts a fierce resistance to Israeli attacks.
Ismail Haniyeh’s visit came a day after Hamas fired a rocket that set off air raid sirens in central Israel, a show of force during a 10-week war that has devastated much of northern Gaza, killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians, and displaced some 1.9 million — nearly 85% of residents — from their homes.
Israel has called on the world to blacklist Hamas as a terrorist organization, saying it must be eliminated following the October 7 rampage in southern Israel that sparked the war.
But the two sides recently relaunched indirect talks, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, aimed at starting another ceasefire and freeing more hostages captured in the attack in exchange for Palestinians jailed by Israel.
Mobile phone and internet services across Gaza were cut again on Wednesday, an outage that could complicate efforts to communicate with Hamas leaders inside the territory who have been in hiding since Oct. 7.
Ismail Haniyeh, the top leader of Hamas, arrived in Cairo to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza. Iranian Foreign Ministry/AFP via Getty Images
WIDE GAP REMAINS IN SPREAD TALK
Despite a flurry of activity by high-level officials in recent days, the two sides appear far from a deal.
Hamas says no more hostages will be released until the war ends, and is expected to demand the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including high-ranking militants, for those who remain — a demand Israel has so far rejected.
Egypt, along with Qatar, helped broker a week-long ceasefire in November in which Hamas released more than 100 hostages in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners by Israel.
Ismail Haniyeh’s visit came a day after Hamas fired a rocket that set off air raid sirens in central Israel. via REUTERS
Hamas and other militants are still holding about 129 prisoners.
Hamas said in a statement that Haniyeh would discuss the war with Egyptian officials, without giving further details. Egypt, which borders Gaza, is particularly concerned about the possible influx of Palestinian refugees, fearing that Israel will not allow them to return.
Haniyeh is believed to be based in Qatar, although Hamas rarely announces its leader’s location for their security.
Smoke rises in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, on Dec. 20, 2023. REUTERS
ISRAEL SAYS ‘FINAL SOLUTION’ UNDERWAY IN NORTH
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Tuesday that Israeli forces entered a network of Hamas tunnels in northern Gaza as part of the “final purge” of militants from the territory.
Densely built-up municipalities in the north – including Gaza City, the territory’s largest – have seen heavy fighting, with Palestinian health officials reporting dozens of people have been killed in shelling in recent days.
Gallant said that in southern Gaza, operations would take “months,” including a military assault on Khan Younis, the area’s second-largest city. “We will not stop until we reach our goal,” he said.
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The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Tuesday the death toll since the start of the war had risen to more than 19,600. It does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths.
At least 46 people were killed and more than 100 wounded early Wednesday as Israel continued to bomb the Jabaliya refugee camp near Gaza City, according to Munir al-Bursh, a senior Health Ministry official.
Hamas and other militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack.
Israel’s military says 134 of its soldiers have been killed in Gaza ground attacks.
Israel says it has killed about 7,000 militants, without providing evidence, and blames civilian deaths on Hamas, saying it uses them as human shields when it fights in residential areas.
Densely built-up municipalities in the north – including Gaza City, the territory’s largest – have seen heavy fighting, with Palestinian health officials reporting dozens of people have been killed in shelling in recent days. ZUMAPRESS.com Palestinians gather with pots to receive food at a donation center provided by a charity organization in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on Dec. 19, 2023. ZUMAPRESS.com
UN MEMBERS STILL REJECT US ON AID SOLUTION
Members of the UN Security Council are negotiating an Arab-sponsored resolution to halt the fighting in some way to allow an increase in the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.
A vote on the resolution, which was first scheduled for Monday, was pushed back until Wednesday as talks continue in hopes of getting the US to abstain or vote “yes” on the resolution after it vetoed earlier calls for a ceasefire.
France, the United Kingdom and Germany — some of Israel’s closest allies — joined global calls for a ceasefire over the weekend. In Israel, protesters have called for negotiations with Hamas to facilitate the release of a number of hostages still held by the group.
Gallant said that in southern Gaza, operations would take “months,” including a military assault on Khan Younis, the area’s second-largest city. “We will not stop until we reach our goal,” he said. ZUMAPRESS.com
Israel says it will continue to fight until it removes Hamas from power, dismantles its armed wing and returns all hostages.
US President Joe Biden’s administration has called on Israel to take greater steps to save civilians but continues to provide diplomatic and military support for the attack.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
