An Israeli drone strike killed two individuals in Gaza on Friday, native Palestinian medical authorities mentioned, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding a fragile ceasefire deal that has halted preventing within the enclave for weeks.
The Israeli army mentioned the drone struck a gaggle of suspected militants working close to its troops in northern Gaza and planting an explosive machine within the floor, nevertheless it gave no particulars on casualties.
The army, underneath new military chief Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, has made preparations for a return to warfare in Gaza if no settlement could be reached with Hamas on extending the 42-day ceasefire agreed to final month.
However with a go to within the coming days from U.S. President Donald Trump’s particular Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has held direct talks with Hamas, there was no indication that Israel has given up on persevering with the ceasefire.
A delegation from Hamas arrived in Cairo for talks with Egyptian mediators who’ve been serving to facilitate the talks together with officers from Qatar, aiming to proceed to the following stage of the deal, which might open the way in which to ending the warfare.
In an obvious effort to stress Israel, Hamas launched a video displaying Israeli soldier Matan Angrest, one in all 59 Israeli and international hostages nonetheless being held within the Gaza Strip.
Unclear whether or not ceasefire talks will go forward
Regardless of a lot of hiccups, the ceasefire has largely held since Jan. 19, permitting the alternate of 33 Israeli hostages and 5 Thais for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
However it’s unclear whether or not talks to launch the remaining hostages and full the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza will go forward, regardless of stress from Trump, who has demanded that Hamas hand over all these nonetheless held or face devastating penalties.
Israel has demanded the return of its hostages and an extension of the truce by means of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan till after the Jewish Passover vacation in April. However it has refused to conform to opening talks that will cowl points similar to the ultimate withdrawal of its troops from Gaza and a post-war administration for the enclave.
Israel says it should proceed to dam all humanitarian help going into Gaza except Hamas agrees to increase the primary section of the ceasefire deal, which expired on Saturday. Hamas needs to maneuver immediately into Section 2 of the unique settlement, which incorporates all Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza.
Zamir, Israel’s new army chief, has been visiting troops since assuming command of the Israel Defence Forces this week and mentioned the military is ready to return to fight in Gaza if ordered.
The Palestinian Well being Ministry and officers on the Al-Ahly Hospital mentioned two individuals had been killed in Friday’s drone strike within the Shejaia space of Gaza Metropolis. An analogous incident on Thursday killed three individuals. The army mentioned that strike additionally focused people seen planting a bomb close to Israeli troops.
The primary Friday of Ramadan noticed hundreds enter the walled Previous Metropolis of Jerusalem to wish at Al-Aqsa Mosque, with Israel permitting a restricted variety of older Palestinians and kids from the occupied West Financial institution to cross into the town.
“We have now not come for 3 or 4 years, however thank God for the happiness and pleasure that we had been in a position to attain Al-Aqsa Mosque. That is the best pleasure for Muslims,” mentioned Salah Aleiwi, who got here in from the West Financial institution.
Tensions rise in West Financial institution
The mosque, on a web site in Jerusalem’s Previous Metropolis that Jews name the Temple Mount and revere as the location of two historic temples, is a holy place for each religions and has lengthy been a spotlight for clashes which have at instances spiralled into wider battle.
Tensions within the West Financial institution have risen amid a weeks-long Israeli operation towards Palestinian refugee camps, the place troops have demolished dozens of homes and destroyed roads and different infrastructure, sending tens of hundreds of camp residents out of their properties.
Israel says the operation is directed towards Iranian-backed Palestinian militant teams entrenched within the camps.
On Friday, there was a heavy deployment of police within the slender cobbled streets of the Previous Metropolis however no stories of significant bother.
“The Israeli police are unfold out throughout Jerusalem and throughout Israel so as to permit the protected surroundings for the arrival of all these worshippers coming right here,” police spokesperson Dean Elsdunne mentioned.
In recent times, Israeli authorities have usually restricted entry to the mosque compound, citing safety wants, and entry on Friday was conditional on approval from police, even for many who certified by age.
Ibtisam Abdul Fattah, a 65-year-old from the West Financial institution, mentioned she had been turned again twice on the West Financial institution checkpoint of Qalandiya, simply north of Jerusalem. “We’re in our land however we’re not allowed,” she mentioned.
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