CAIRO: The United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, is optimistic the remaining differences between Israel and Hamas can be bridged in negotiations over the Palestinian resistance group’s latest ceasefire proposal, as Gaza truce talks resume in Cairo on Wednesday.
Israeli forces on Tuesday seized the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in Rafah city of the Gaza Strip where more than one million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter during Israel’s seven-month-old relentless bombardment campaign. This cut off a vital route for aid into the tiny Palestinian enclave, where hundreds of thousands of people are homeless and hungry.
Since October 7, at least 34,844 Palestinians have been killed and over 78,404 injured in Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, the health ministry in the Palestinian territory said in a statement on Wednesday.
Despite the challenges, all five delegations involved in the ceasefire talks – including representatives from Israel, the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Hamas – expressed positivity about the resumption of negotiations. Meetings are ongoing, with discussions expected to continue in the coming days.
CIA Director Bill Burns is slated to travel from Cairo to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials.
The optimism comes after Hamas presented a revised ceasefire proposal, addressing concerns raised by Israel. While specific details of the revisions were not disclosed, White House spokesperson John Kirby indicated that the new text suggests the remaining gaps can be closed.
One of the key sticking points has been the release of hostages held by both sides. The proposal put forward by the Palestinian group includes a phased approach, starting with a six-week ceasefire, the influx of aid to Gaza, and the release of Israeli hostages, among other provisions.
However, tensions remain high on the ground, particularly in Rafah, where Israeli military operations continue. Hamas official Osama Hamdan warned that ongoing aggression by Israel could jeopardize any potential truce agreement.
International bodies, including the United Nations, have called for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing the humanitarian consequences of further escalation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to spare no effort in reaching a truce, emphasizing the catastrophic impact of a full-scale assault on Rafah.
Critics of Israel’s offensive have called on US President Joe Biden to exert pressure on Israel to change its course. The US, Israel’s closest ally, has reportedly delayed some arms shipments to Israel, marking a shift in its approach to the conflict.
Residents reported heavy tank shelling on Tuesday evening in some areas of eastern Rafah. A Rafah municipal building caught fire after Israeli shelling, and one Palestinian was killed and several wounded, medics said. An Israeli strike also killed two Palestinians on a motorcycle, they said.
Health officials said Abu Yousef Al-Najar, the main hospital in Rafah, closed on Tuesday after heavy bombardment nearby led medical staff and around 200 patients to flee. “They have gone crazy. Tanks are firing shells and smoke bombs cover the skies,” said Emad Joudat, 55, a Gaza City resident displaced in Rafah.
Families have been crammed into tented camps and makeshift shelters, suffering from shortages of food, water, medicine and other essentials.
Red Crescent sources in Egypt said shipments had completely halted. “These crossings are a lifeline… They need to be reopened without any delay,” Philippe Lazzarini, head of UN aid agency UNRWA, said on X.
