The US, along with Arab countries acting as mediators, are working today to finalise an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the 14-month war in the Gaza Strip. According to rescuers, at least 16 Palestinians were killed overnight.
On Tuesday, sources involved in the Cairo talks indicated that a ceasefire agreement, including the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, could be signed in the coming days.
Rescuers reported that at least 10 people were killed by an Israeli airstrike on a house in Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the enclave where the Israeli military has been operating since October. Six others were killed in separate airstrikes in Gaza City, the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central part of the enclave, and Rafah, near the Egyptian border.
Mahmoud Basal, a civil defence spokesperson, told AFP that 10 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike on the home of the Al-Daour family in Beit Lahia, where displaced people had sought refuge.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military spokesperson.
The US government, alongside mediators from Egypt and Qatar, has intensified efforts in recent days to advance talks ahead of President Joe Biden’s departure from the White House next month.
A Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations stated that mediators have narrowed differences on most terms of the agreement but added that Israel has introduced conditions that Hamas has rejected. The official declined to provide further details.
CIA Director William Burns was expected in Doha today for talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to bridge remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas, according to sources familiar with the matter. The CIA declined to comment.
Israeli negotiators travelled to Doha on Monday in an effort to resolve the differences between Israel and Hamas. Over the past year, repeated rounds of talks have failed, with Israel insisting on maintaining a military presence in Gaza and Hamas refusing to release hostages until Israeli troops withdraw.
Also read: Palestine hopes ceasefire will “contribute to end of violence”
Source: ANA-MPA
