At least 25 people, including five journalists, have been killed in Israeli attacks in central Gaza, including one against a UNRWA school. Negotiations are expected to resume in Doha next week.
While waiting for negotiations to resume, Israel launched a heavy attack in the center of the Gaza Strip on Saturday to attack at various points in the Nuseirat camp, including UNRWA schools; in Deir al Balah, but also in the camps Bureij and Maghazi. At least 25 people were killed, including five journalists.
In the attacks in the center of the last hours, the deaths of at least five journalists have been confirmed: Saadi Madoukh, Adeeb Sukkar, Amjad Jahjouh and his wife Wafa Abu Dabaan and Rizq Abu Shakyan. According to the Gaza government, 158 informants have been killed during the war in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media also reported air and artillery strikes in several neighborhoods of Gaza City, such as Sheikh Ajlin, Tal al Hawa, Zaytun and Shujaiya.
The army is also continuing its “intelligence-based operational activities” in Rafah, on the border with Egypt. Palestinian medical sources have reported that at least six police officers were killed in an attack on their vehicles in the Saudi-run neighbourhood of western Rafah.
Since the beginning of the war, some 38,100 Gaza residents, of which more than 70% are women and children; and according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 87,700 have been injured.
About to resume negotiations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that “differences remain” but ordered the negotiating team to return to Doha the resume talk indirectly with Hamas, which submitted a new proposal last Wednesday, the details of which are unknown.
Hamas has reportedly abandoned its core demand that Israel commit in advance to ending hostilities, according to leaks in Arab and Hebrew media.
In all other respects, the proposal is similar to the scheme proposed by US a few weeks ago: a first phase with a six-week ceasefire, the release of women, elderly and wounded hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners; the withdrawal of Israeli troops from densely populated areas and the return of the displaced.
During that period, the details of a second phase would be negotiated, in which the rest of the hostages, including soldiers, would be released in exchange for more prisoners. In the third phase, the delivery of the bodies of prisoners and the reconstruction of the Strip would be considered.
Like every Saturday, the diverse protest movement of Israel went out on the streets again today, with Tel Aviv as epicenter, to demand the government’s sign an agreement once and for all that allows for the return of the 116 hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip.
Two-thirds of Israeli public opinion believes that the return of the hostages is more important than continuing the war in Gaza, according to a Channel 12 poll. Moreover, 54% of respondents believe that the war continues because of Netanyahu’s political considerations, and 68% believe that the “total victory” promised by it is still a long way off.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
