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The Israeli army bombed on Wednesday Rafain the south of Gaza stripawaiting a possible major land incursion, and in full negotiations on Cairo for a truce that, according to Hamasthey are “decisive”after seven months of war.
The resumption of negotiations in the Egyptian capital is carried out with the presence of Israeli representatives and the Palestinian Islamic movement, as well as mediators from the Qatar, U.S It is Egyptreported media close to Egyptian authorities.
LOOK HERE: Global alarm over a possible Israeli invasion of Rafah that could lead to the deadliest phase of the war
Despite international warnings, the day before Israeli tanks took control of the Palestinian side of the border crossing between Egypt and the city of Rafathe main entry point for humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.
Under the pressure of washingtonits main ally, Israel announced on Wednesday the reopening of another border post, that of Kerem Shalomalso in the south, it closed after a rocket attack on Sunday that killed four soldiers.
“Trucks arriving from Egypt arrive at the crossing with humanitarian aid, including food, water, shelter materials, medicines and medical equipment provided by the international community.“, said an army statement.
The supplies will enter the enclave after undergoing inspection, he added.
But Juliette Toumaspokesperson for UNRWAthe agency UN for Palestinian Refugees, he told AFP that this crossing “was not yet open” in mid-morning.
Another Israeli border crossing, that of ErezFurther north, it is also open to the arrival of aid, the army added.
Suspension of weapons shipments
The United States considered the closure of these border crossings as “unacceptable”.
Pressured by pro-Palestinian protests on American college campuses, the government Joe Biden last week halted shipments of certain bombs to Israel due to “concerns” before an offensive against Rafah.
“There are 1,800 bombs weighing 907 kilos and 1,700 bombs weighing 226 kilos“, said a senior government official on condition of anonymity.
The United States, the UN and the European Union They urged Israel not to enter Rafah – where 1.4 million Palestinians are gathered, most of them displaced people, according to the UN – for fear of a bloodbath and a worsening of the humanitarian crisis in the Strip. Qatar called on the international community on Wednesday to act to avoid a “genocide”.
MORE INFORMATION: The United States stopped sending 3,500 bombs to Israel to prevent their use in Rafah, according to CNN
Following the evacuation of tens of thousands of Palestinians from areas east of Rafah on Monday and the closure of the border crossing with Egypt, Israeli forces continue to shell the city.
There were also bombings in Gaza Cityin the north, where a hospital announced the death of seven members of a family.
“Decisive Round”
The fate of Rafah and the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas is at stake in negotiations in the Egyptian capital, but both Israel and the Islamic group are inflexible in their positions.
A senior Hamas official told AFP on Wednesday that its movement “insists on the legitimate demands of its people”and assured that it is a“decisive round”.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuurged his delegation to “stand firm in the conditions necessary for liberation”of the hostages.
These negotiations represent “the last chance for Netanyahu and the families“of the hostages”see your children return“, warned another Islamic leader the day before.
So far, only a week-long truce in November has managed to stop the conflict that erupted in October 7th due to the attack by Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union.
Islamist commandos infiltrated southern Israel that day, killing 1,170 people and kidnapping about 250, according to an AFP count based on Israeli data.
Israel estimates that, following an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners in that November truce, 128 people remain captive in Linkof which 36 are feared dead.
Israel launched a retaliatory offensive that has left 34,844 people dead in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to the Ministry of Health of the territory governed since 2007 by Hamas.
The Islamic group accepted the latest proposal presented by the mediators, but Netanyahu’s office assured that it “was far”of his demands and decided to continue“the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas”.
SEE TOO: Israel reopens Kerem Shalom border crossing to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza
According to Khalil al Hayyasenior official of the Islamic movement, the current proposal includes three phases of 42 days each.
The proposal includes a total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza stripthe return of displaced people and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, with the aim of “permanent ceasefire”.
But Israel opposes a complete withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire without first defeating Hamas, which its army says has its last battalions in Rafah.
Source: Elcomercio
I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.
