In response to rocket attacks launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip, Israel has closed the Kerem Shalom crossing. Reports from Israeli media indicate that at least 10 people have been injured, some seriously. The armed wing of Hamas claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli forces with short-range rockets.
Mediators in Cairo, Egypt, have engaged in two days of negotiations, seeking to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Following the latest round of talks on Sunday, Hamas announced that its delegation would travel to Qatar for consultations with the group’s leadership.
According to reports, the proposed truce involves a 40-day cessation of hostilities to facilitate the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The main point of contention appears to be whether the ceasefire would be permanent or temporary.
Hamas insists that any agreement must include a commitment to ending the war, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected such demands, stating that Israel cannot afford a situation in which Hamas rebuilds its military infrastructure and continues to threaten Israeli citizens.
The conflict erupted when Hamas militants stormed into Israel from Gaza on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 hostages. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by many Western countries.
During the Israeli military campaign in Gaza that followed, the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry reports that more than 34,600 Palestinians have been killed and over 77,900 wounded.
Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Netanyahu from within his far-right coalition to proceed with a long-anticipated offensive in Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza, where an estimated 1.4 million people have sought refuge after fleeing conflict in other parts of the strip.
The United States has expressed reluctance to support a military operation that could result in significant civilian casualties and has called for a plan to protect displaced Palestinians.
The Israeli government is also facing increasing domestic pressure. Of the 252 hostages kidnapped by Hamas in October, 128 remain unaccounted for, with at least 34 presumed dead.
In response to the attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) revealed that 10 projectiles were fired from an area near the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza, approximately 3.6km (2.2 miles) from Kerem Shalom. The IDF promptly destroyed the launcher and a nearby military site, condemning Hamas for exploiting humanitarian facilities and using the civilian population as human shields.
Ceasefire negotiations have been ongoing for months, but a breakthrough has yet to be achieved. Since the end of November, there has been no pause in fighting or release of hostages, despite moments when a new agreement appeared imminent, only to falter before finalization.
