CAIRO: A high-level delegation of Egypt to visit to Israel with the aim of brokering a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza.
The delegation is concerned about the potential consequences of a new Israeli offensive targeting the southern city of Rafah on the border with Egypt, warning that such actions could destabilize the regional stability, two officials on Friday.
Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, leading the delegation, intends to convey Egypt’s firm stance against Israel’s troop deployments along Gaza’s borders with Egypt. An Egyptian official, speaking anonymously, emphasized Egypt’s resolve on this matter.
Tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have remained high, with sporadic clashes occurring as Israel targets senior Hezbollah militants. The ongoing violence has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border, resulting in casualties on both sides.
On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least five people. The city, where more than half of Gaza’s population has sought refuge, has been subjected to frequent raids by Israeli forces, raising concerns of an imminent offensive.
In central Gaza, Israeli tank shelling claimed the lives of four persons. Additionally, a ship sailing in the Gulf of Aden was attacked, believed to be linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Amidst the escalating violence, a senior Hamas political official expressed willingness to agree to a truce lasting five years or more with Israel.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas was started after Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7th. The war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, around two-thirds of them children and women.
