In a recent development, Hamas militants have launched an attack on Israel's primary crossing point for delivering crucial humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. This aggressive move has dealt a significant blow to the ongoing efforts to maintain a cease-fire, as both sides continue to point fingers at each other.
Following the attack, the military swiftly closed the crossing, effectively putting a halt to the much-needed aid deliveries into the distressed Gaza region. The duration of this closure remains uncertain at this point.
This incident comes at a critical juncture when Gaza is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, marked by acute shortages of essential supplies such as food, medicine, and other humanitarian necessities.
The ongoing cease-fire talks in Egypt faced complications after an attack that threatened the peace negotiations. Egyptian and Hamas officials have been discussing a deal that involves a prolonged pause in fighting in return for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. However, disagreements persist between the two sides regarding whether the agreement should also encompass an end to the war and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
The cease-fire negotiations on Saturday concluded without any progress, as per a senior Hamas source close to the Cairo talks who informed CBS News. The source mentioned that a new round of discussions is set to begin the following day.
Israel opted not to participate in the talks, stating that it would only do so once Hamas responds to Israel's latest proposal. An adviser to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed to CBS News on Saturday that "the end of the war will come with the end of Hamas in Gaza."
On Sunday, Netanyahu further criticized Hamas for their unreasonable demands.
While acknowledging Israel's readiness to make compromises, he emphasized, "Hamas has maintained its extreme stances, particularly the withdrawal of our forces from the strip, the conclusion of the war, and the preservation of Hamas's presence."
"Israel will not accede to Hamas's demands, as it would signify surrender; Israel will persist in its fight until all its objectives are met," he asserted.
In a statement released shortly after Netanyahu's, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said the group is still keen on reaching a comprehensive cease-fire that ends the Israeli "aggression," Reuters reported. Haniyeh also said the deal must guarantee Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, and achieve "a serious" deal to free Israelis being held hostage in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
At the same, Israel's defense minister warned of "a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah and other places across all of Gaza."
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, "we see signs that Hamas does not intend to go to any agreement."
Rafah is the southernmost Gaza city on the border with Egypt where more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million residents now seek shelter from Israeli attacks. Rafah is a key entry point for aid.
Israel launched its war in response to the Hamas cross-border attack on Oct. 7, which killed some 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. An Israeli air and ground offensive has killed over 34,500 people, according to Palestinian health officials, displaced some 80% of Gaza's population and led to a humanitarian disaster.
Egypt and Qatar have been working with the United States to mediate a cease-fire.
CIA director William Burns traveled to Cairo, Egypt, on Friday for the talks. The visit follows a stretch of technical talks and a fresh proposal from Israel that U.S. officials have described as "generous."
Mediators have put forward a new cease-fire agreement, slated to endure for several weeks, which revolves around a hostage exchange. Under the proposed terms, for each hostage released by Hamas, Israel would be required to release a larger number of Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons.
Over the weekend, Netanyahu's Cabinet greenlit a move to close down Qatar's Al Jazeera news channel, citing allegations of broadcasting anti-Israel propaganda. This decision has the potential to further complicate the ongoing negotiations for the cease-fire. At present, there has been no immediate response from Qatar.
