Cairo: Gaza cease-fire talks inconclusive

Hamas has rejected new Israeli terms offered at Gaza ceasefire talks in the Egyptian capital Cairo, casting further doubt on the prospects for progress in fresh US-backed efforts to end the 10-month-old war. are done

According to the French news agency AFP, a senior Hamas leader, Izzat al-Rashq, said in a statement that a delegation of the group left Cairo after meeting with mediators and receiving an update on the latest round of negotiations. went

Two Egyptian security sources told Reuters that the talks ended without agreement between Hamas and Israel on a compromise proposed by mediators.

Key points of talks brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar include Israel’s presence in the Philadelphia Corridor, a narrow 14.5km strip of land along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt.

The delegation of Hamas in Cairo demanded that Israel abide by the agreement reached on July 2 in accordance with the plan drawn up by US President Joe Biden and the resolution of the United Nations Security Council.

While the group reaffirmed its readiness to implement the agreement to advance the interests of the Palestinian people and prevent the destruction of the Gaza Strip, it called for a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. stressed the need for any agreement.

Hamas also said any deal should include freedom for Gaza residents to return to their homes, aid and reconstruction, and a prisoner exchange agreement.

Diplomatic efforts to reach a cease-fire in Gaza and avoid a wider war intensified after the deaths of two senior Iranian-backed commanders last month. The commanders’ deaths were blamed on Israel, and Iran and its allies threatened retaliation.

The basis for the talks has been the framework outlined by US President Joe Biden in late May, which he described as the Israeli proposal.

Izzat al-Rashq added that ‘Hamas reiterates its readiness to implement Biden’s plan.’

The United States, which is also acting as a mediator, said on Friday that progress had been made during the latest round of Gaza talks, with months of negotiations proving past pessimism unfounded.

Hamas had previously said a delegation would go to Cairo, but only to meet with mediators rather than participate in talks.

On Sunday, Izzat al-Rashq reiterated several of Hamas’ long-standing demands for any ceasefire agreement, particularly the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

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Lebanon and Israel

Israel has launched airstrikes on Lebanon, thwarting a major attack by Hezbollah, claiming to have destroyed ‘thousands’ of its rocket launchers, while the Lebanese group insisted that its rockets and drones The attacks were successful.

According to AFP, the Israeli military said its roughly 100 fighter jets hit more than 270 targets, “90 percent of which were short-range rockets aimed at northern Israel.”

Hezbollah has denied Israel’s claim that thousands of its rockets were destroyed. He said his own operation was ‘full and complete.’

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that the strikes were “not the final word” in the campaign against Hezbollah.

The Israeli army said one of its navy soldiers was killed and two wounded in the fighting.

An Israeli military official told AFP that their boat may have hit an air defense interceptor on their side.

Hezbollah has exchanged fire across the border with Israeli forces throughout the Gaza war, which Hezbollah says is backed by its Palestinian ally Hamas.

But fears of a wider regional conflict rose after attacks in late July, blamed on Israel, that killed leaders linked to Iran, including Fawad Shukr, the political chief of Hamas and a top Hezbollah commander. , who vowed revenge.

Britain and Jordan were among the countries that called for an end to tensions and a ceasefire in Gaza on Sunday.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also called on the UN Security Council to take “deprived” and “effective” measures against Netanyahu and his ministers, which “end all chances of achieving peace.”