President Donald Trump has failed to get his much wanted ceasefire in Gaza after holding extensive discussions with Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington. Mediations are being held for Israel by the US while Qatar is brokering for Hamas. President Trump wanted a conclusive ceasefire as a result of talks with Premier Netanyahu, but Israel has just released plans to concentrate the Palestinian population of Gaza into an even smaller enclave around Rafah.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has proposed moving all Palestinians in Gaza to a new makeshift city on the ruins of Rafah. The plan involves screening every Palestinian citizen before admittance to the city. Most of the Palestinians in Gaza are currently living in a designated tent area across the coast between the IDF corridors in the north and south.
Hamas has released a statement showing its willingness for a ceasefire but did not provide details. Hamas, which still holds up to dozen to twenty of live Israeli hostages, is demanding that the UN keeps a monopoly on the distribution of humanitarian aid. Hamas is also refusing to disarm as part of any deal.
The US is also renewing extensive arms sales to Israel, including of heavy bombs which Israel has used extensively against civilians in Gaza.
At least forty Palestinians were killed in Gaza during the last 24 hours mostly as a result of air strikes. The IDF has also renewed a ground offensive in the north of Gaza – an area the IDF intends to occupy on a permanent basis.
Newsroom
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