Cairo: Israeli airstrikes ravaged three residential buildings in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 20 Palestinian lives and leaving numerous others wounded, according to reports from medics on Monday. Meanwhile, anticipation mounts for a fresh round of ceasefire negotiations, with Egyptian and Qatari mediators slated to convene with Hamas leaders in Cairo.
Further north in Gaza City, Israeli warplanes targeted two additional houses, claiming the lives of at least four individuals and inflicting injuries upon several others, as confirmed by health officials.
The strikes in Rafah, where over a million individuals have sought refuge amidst sustained Israeli bombardment, occurred just hours prior to scheduled discussions in Egypt involving leaders of Hamas. These talks aim to explore the possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement with Israel. The Israeli military has acknowledged the reports and indicated that they are investigating the incident.
With Israel steadfast in its determination to dismantle Hamas, the de facto ruling authority in Gaza, the ongoing military campaign has resulted in a devastating toll. According to Gaza’s health authorities, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 34,000 Palestinians, with 66 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours alone. Moreover, the war has led to the displacement of a significant portion of Gaza’s 2.3 million population and inflicted widespread destruction upon the enclave.
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The recent escalation traces back to an attack launched by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the capture of 253 hostages, as per Israeli reports. Anticipation of an offensive in Rafah, purportedly the final stronghold of Hamas within Gaza, has been building for weeks. However, concerns voiced by foreign governments and the United Nations underscore the potential for a humanitarian catastrophe given the densely populated nature of the area and the plight of displaced residents.
In preparation for the ceasefire talks, Hamas officials have announced the formation of a delegation led by Khalil Al-Hayya, the group’s deputy Gaza chief. The delegation is tasked with deliberating over a ceasefire proposal put forth by Hamas to mediators from Qatar and Egypt, as well as assessing Israel’s response. With the backing of the United States, mediators have intensified their efforts to broker a deal aimed at quelling the violence.
While Hamas officials have refrained from disclosing specific details regarding the latest proposals, a source familiar with the negotiations has indicated that Hamas is expected to provide a response to Israel’s most recent truce offer, which was conveyed on Saturday.
