By WAFAA SHURAFA, JOSEF FEDERMAN and SAMY MAGDY (Associated Press)
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas’ high chief traveled to Cairo on Wednesday for talks on the conflict in Gaza, a part of a flurry of diplomacy geared toward securing one other cease-fire and swap of hostages for Palestinian prisoners at a second when Israel’s offensive exhibits no indicators of slowing.
Hamas has been placing up stiff resistance, even because the Israeli military claims to be making nice progress in eradicating them. The go to to Cairo by its high chief, Ismail Haniyeh, got here a day after Hamas fired rockets that set off air raid sirens in central Israel. It was a present of energy after a 10-week conflict that has devastated a lot of northern Gaza, killed almost 20,000 Palestinians, and pushed some 1.9 million — almost 85% of the inhabitants — from their properties.
Israel has known as on the remainder of the world to blacklist Hamas as a terrorist group, saying it should be faraway from energy in Gaza within the wake of its Oct. 7 rampage throughout southern Israel that triggered the conflict. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist group by the United States, Canada and the European Union.
But the perimeters have just lately relaunched oblique talks, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States. The purpose is to realize one other cease-fire, and to free extra hostages Hamas took in its assault in alternate for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
“These are very serious discussions and negotiations, and we hope that they lead somewhere,” the White House’s nationwide safety spokesman, John Kirby, mentioned Wednesday aboard Air Force One whereas touring with President Joe Biden to Wisconsin.
Mobile telephone and web service was down throughout Gaza once more on Wednesday, an outage that might complicate efforts to speak with Hamas leaders contained in the territory who went into hiding after Oct. 7.
The conflict has led to a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Tens of hundreds of individuals are crammed into overcrowded shelters and tent camps amid shortages of meals, medication and different primary provides. Israel’s overseas minister traveled to Cyprus to debate the potential of establishing a maritime hall that might permit the supply of enormous quantities of humanitarian help to Gaza.
WIDE GAP REMAINS IN TALKS ON HOSTAGES
Despite a burst of diplomacy by high-level officers in current days, the 2 sides gave the impression to be removed from an settlement.
Hamas has mentioned no extra hostages will likely be launched till the conflict ends, and is anticipated to insist on the discharge of enormous numbers of Palestinian prisoners, together with high-level fighters, for the captives that stay.
Israel has rejected the calls for up to now. But it has a historical past of lopsided exchanges for captive Israelis, and the federal government is below heavy public strain to deliver the hostages residence safely.
Egypt, together with Qatar, helped mediate a weeklong cease-fire in November through which Hamas freed over 100 hostages in alternate for Israel’s launch of 240 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas and different militants are nonetheless holding an estimated 129 captives.
Hamas mentioned that Haniyeh — who’s believed to be primarily based in Qatar however whose actions are not often publicized — would talk about the conflict with Egyptian officers, with out offering extra particulars.
Ziad Nakhaleh, the chief of the smaller Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which took half within the Oct. 7 assault and can be holding hostages, mentioned he would even be going to Egypt within the coming days to take part within the talks.
Egypt, which borders Gaza, is deeply involved a couple of potential inflow of Palestinian refugees, fearing Israel won’t permit them to return.
ISRAEL SAYS ‘FINAL CLEARING’ UNDERWAY IN THE NORTH
At least 46 folks have been killed and greater than 100 wounded early Wednesday after Israel bombarded the city Jabaliya refugee camp close to Gaza City, in keeping with Munir al-Bursh, a senior Health Ministry official.
In southern Gaza, a number of girls and youngsters have been amongst these introduced into Nasser Hospital within the metropolis of Khan Younis after strikes in a single day and into Wednesday. A boy may very well be seen sobbing subsequent to his wounded mom, who was laid out on a stretcher, earlier than being lifted up and positioned on her chest.
At least 5 folks have been killed and dozens injured in one other strike that hit three residential properties and a mosque in Gaza’s southern metropolis of Rafah Wednesday, well being officers mentioned.
With the loss of life toll steadily rising, Israel has come below rising strain to halt or cut back its offensive. But Israeli leaders vow to press forward till Hamas’ navy and governing capabilities are destroyed and till all hostages are freed.
“We will continue the war until the end. It will continue until Hamas is destroyed, until victory,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned Wednesday. “Whoever thinks we will stop is detached from reality,” saying each member of Hamas is “marked for death.”
His protection minister, Yoav Gallant, mentioned Tuesday that in southern Gaza, the place the navy launched a floor incursion targeted on Khan Younis in early December, operations will take “months.”
The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza mentioned Tuesday the loss of life toll because the begin of the conflict had risen to greater than 19,600. It doesn’t distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.
Hamas and different terrorists killed some 1,200 folks, principally civilians, within the Oct. 7 assault.
Israel’s navy says 134 of its troopers have been killed within the Gaza floor offensive. Israel says it has killed some 7,000 militants, with out offering proof. It blames civilian deaths in Gaza on Hamas, saying it makes use of them as human shields when it fights in residential areas.
UN MEMBERS STILL PUSHING US ON AID RESOLUTION
U.N. Security Council members are negotiating an Arab-sponsored decision to halt the preventing indirectly to permit for a rise in desperately wanted humanitarian help deliveries to Gaza. A vote on the decision, first scheduled for Monday, was pushed again once more till Wednesday as talks continued within the hopes of getting the U.S. to abstain or vote “yes” on the decision after it vetoed an earlier cease-fire name.
France, the United Kingdom and Germany — a few of Israel’s closest allies — joined world requires a cease-fire over the weekend.
The Biden administration has known as on Israel to take higher steps to spare civilians however has continued to supply diplomatic and navy help for the offensive.
Kirby mentioned Wednesday that it’s vital {that a} decision embody a condemnation of Hamas’ actions on Oct. 7, recognition that Israel wants to have the ability to defend itself and a major dedication by member states to get humanitarian help to the folks of Gaza.
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Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Aamer Madhani aboard Air Force One contributed.
Find extra of AP’s protection at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”