Prospects for a resumption of mediated Gaza ceasefire talks grew on Saturday. An official said a decision had been taken to resume the talks next week. This was after Israel’s Mossad chief met the head of the CIA and the prime minister of Qatar.
New prospects for ceasefire talks
The source said it had been decided that “in the coming week negotiations will open based on new proposals.” The new proposals have been pushed by the mediators, Egypt and Qatar along with active US involvement.
A Hamas official later denied Israeli media reports that the talks would resume in Cairo on Tuesday. He said there was no date so far.
More attacks by Israel
Meanwhile, Israel carried out new attacks. The Israeli military said its troops in the northern district of Jabalia killed dozens of militants in close combat and airstrikes. Residents and civil emergency services there said Israeli tanks moving deep in Jabalia destroyed dozens of houses, shops, and roads.
Further south, the Israeli military said that on Friday it had killed militants, taken down part of Hamas’ tunnel system and found weapon stashes in Rafah, where its forces operated in what it said were specific areas. Palestinian medics said 45 Palestinians had been killed in the past day across Gaza.
ICJ ruling against Israel
This comes after the top United Nations court ordered Israel on Friday to stop attacking the southern city of Gaza. Friday’s ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), or World Court, is binding but its rulings have been ignored in the past, as the court has no enforcement powers. Israel says it wants to root out Hamas fighters in Rafah and rescue hostages in the area.
Earlier in the war, Rafah became a refuge for Gazans fleeing fighting elsewhere. After Rafah became a target as well, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled the city. So far, fighting has taken place on Rafah’s southern edge and eastern districts, away from the most populated areas.
Israeli officials said on Saturday that the World Court’s order does not rule out all military action in the area.
(REUTERS)
