RAFAH: Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 Palestinians, a day after the top United Nations court ordered Israel to cease its offensive.
Despite ongoing Israeli military actions against Hamas, mediated negotiations between the two sides are set to resume next week, according to an official familiar with the situation.
This decision to restart talks followed a meeting between the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, the head of the CIA, and the prime minister of Qatar, as per the source.
The upcoming negotiations, based on new proposals facilitated by Egypt and Qatar with active US involvement, were agreed upon at the conclusion of the meeting. Hamas has yet to comment on the status of these talks.
Mediators have faced challenges in brokering a resolution to the Gaza crisis over the past seven months, with Israel seeking the release of prisoners held by Hamas and Hamas demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as well as an end to the bombardment.
Despite international mediation efforts and a United Nations court order to cease military actions in Rafah, Israel has continued its bombings in the area, aiming to eliminate Hamas fighters.
The International Court of Justice’s emergency ruling, initiated by South Africa, accused Israel of genocide but lacks enforcement mechanisms. However, Israel’s continued offensive has exacerbated its global isolation, especially as it defies the requests of its closest ally, the United States.
Israeli military operations in Rafah on Friday included targeting Hamas fighters, dismantling parts of their tunnel network, and uncovering weapons caches. Further north in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of 17 people, while 31 Palestinians were killed overall in the past day, according to local medical officials.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad reported firing anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs at Israeli troops, prompting Israeli tanks to enter Jabalia, destroying homes, shops, and roads. The city of Rafah, previously a refuge for Gazans fleeing airstrikes, also became a target, leading to mass displacement from the area.
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