War in Gaza: resumption of negotiations, bombing of Rafah, resumption of work of Kerem Shalom… update on the situation

Between fear and optimism. Although the Israeli army has taken control of part of the city, the situation in Rafah, which is under immediate threat of a large-scale offensive, worries the international community. But at the same time, the resumption of discussions “in the presence of all parties” gives hope that Israel and Hamas will soon find an agreement on a truce in the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Le Parisien sums it up.

The city of Rafah is still under threat

The city of Rafah was bombed this Wednesday, a day after the deployment of Israeli tanks and the army taking control of the border crossing with Egypt, which is now completely closed.

There is growing concern in the international community. This Wednesday, Qatar, a mediator in peace talks between Israel and Palestinian Hamas, called for a statement “for urgent international action that will prevent the invasion of the city and the commission of the crime of genocide.” For his part, the President of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, strongly condemned the extension of this war to the Rafah crossing, the only corridor for humanitarian aid,” the social media post said.

The United States, Israel’s main ally, announced late Tuesday that it had suspended delivery of a shipment of bombs last week after Israel failed to respond to Washington’s “concerns” about the announced Rafah offensive.

According to the UN, 1.4 million Palestinians, local residents and displaced people have massed in Rafah, a few kilometers west of Kerem Shalom, and Israeli authorities have ordered tens of thousands of families to leave the city’s eastern districts in anticipation of possible land acquisition. operation.

Kerem Shalom checkpoint reopened, Israel says

The Israeli army announced on Wednesday the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing to “deliver humanitarian aid” to the Gaza Strip, four days after it was closed following rocket attacks on territory claimed by the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. .

“Trucks from Egypt carrying humanitarian aid, including food, water, shelter, medicine and medical equipment donated by the international community, are already arriving at the checkpoint,” the army said in a press release. After inspection, the cargo will be “transferred to the Gaza side,” the text continues.

The opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing in the southern Gaza Strip comes amid widespread international criticism following the closure of the Rafah crossing, the main entry point for humanitarian aid.

Resumption of negotiations in Cairo

Negotiations for a truce in the devastating seven-month war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip will resume this Wednesday in Cairo “in the presence of all parties,” Al-Qahera News channel, close to the Egyptian authorities, reported. with reference to a senior official, whose identity she did not specify.

Cairo is currently hosting delegations from Hamas and Israel, as well as Qatar and the United States, countries that mediate with Egypt. On Tuesday, Israel and Hamas agreed to “return to the negotiating table.” Both “should be able to fill the remaining gaps” to reach the ceasefire currently being negotiated, 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 on the conditions necessary for the release of the hostages and “essential” to Israel’s security. “This may be the last chance (for Israel) to return the captives (…) alive,” a senior Hamas official, who requested anonymity, told AFP.