Israel, Qatar and US meet in Cairo to discuss possible ceasefire with Hamas

Alarmed by the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which could deepen due to Israeli advances in Rafah, south of the enclave, the international community has pressured Israel for a ceasefire. An Israeli delegation will meet counterparts from Qatar and the United States to seek an end to hostilities, including the release of hostages held by Hamas. This came as the European Union urged its member states to cut off arms supplies, drawing criticism from Tel Aviv.

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While the Israeli army, as acknowledged by its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is preparing to advance on Rafah, the refuge and escape zone for thousands of civilians south of Gaza, the international community has reiterated its call to Tel Aviv to sit down. Has increased. Round of talks to discuss a possible ceasefire.

Concerned about the “humanitarian catastrophe” resulting from Israel’s invasion of the southern end of the enclave, international actors managed to contact youAn Israeli delegation composed of the High Intelligence Command will travel to Cairo this Tuesday, February 13 To talk to his Egyptian and American counterparts regarding a ceasefire proposal.

Israeli officials told AFP news agency that Mossad director David Barnia would meet with CIA chief William Burns.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and the Arab country’s chief diplomat Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani will also attend the conference.

The intention is to resume a previous proposal rejected by Israel that was raised by Hamas, This included a definitive ceasefire in exchange for the release of all hostages.

Israeli tanks conduct maneuvers in the Gaza Strip near the Israel-Gaza border on February 13, 2024.
Israeli tanks conduct maneuvers in the Gaza Strip near the Israel-Gaza border on February 13, 2024. © Dylan Martinez/Reuters

In the final hours, the group warned that the fate of those captured would depend on the action taken by enemy forces on Rafah.

The intensification of the war in Gaza is causing dozens of Palestinian deaths every day, leading to a deterioration in their quality of life, lack of essential resources and reduced humanitarian aid.

The international community is concerned about possible incursions into Rafah.

In this context, the conviction shown by Netanyahu to proceed further in Rafah raises concerns among various international actors.

For example, senior EU diplomats, Josep Borrell urges bloc’s member states to stop arms supplies to Israel, These words of the European foreign affairs chief were rejected by Netanyahu, who accused him of “strengthening Hamas.”

Foreign Minister Annalena Barebock said on Tuesday that In Berlin he was “deeply concerned” by the Israeli government’s announcement regarding the crusade in Rafah.

“I would like to emphasize once again: the right to self-defense exists and every country like Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism, but this does not include displacement,” he said.

The requests to Israel are not just from the West or Arab countries. China also urged Israel to end its operations “as soon as possible”.,

Through a Foreign Office statement, Beijing asked Israel to “make every possible effort to prevent the devastating humanitarian disaster in Rafah from getting worse.”

Map of the southern Gaza Strip showing the war zones as well as the cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah
Map of the southern Gaza Strip showing the war zones as well as the cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah © Nalini Lepetit-Chella, Sophie Ramis, Anibal Mías Cáceres, Sophie Ramis, Aníbal Mías Cáceres / AFP

More than 130 deaths in last 24 hours

The Gaza Health Ministry updated the number of deaths from the war that began on 7 October. The number rose to 28,473 people, while at least 68,146 people were injured. However, it is estimated that these figures are higher as there are areas where civilians are buried under debris.

These figures also include 133 deaths and 162 injuries recorded as a result of Israel’s operations over the past 24 hours, the ministry said in a statement.

On the other hand, Arab network ‘Al Jazeera’ reported that two journalists present in the field were seriously injured in the Israeli attack in southern Gaza.

The media reported that its correspondent Ismail Abu Omar and his cameraman were injured in an attack in Rafah.

With Reuters, EFE and AFP

(TagstoTranslate)Middle East(T)Gaza(T)Gaza Strip(T)Israel(T)Gaza War(T)Hamas(T)Benjamin Netanyahu(T)State of Qatar(T)Rafah

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