Israel strikes Gaza kill 9 as Egypt hosts ceasefire talks
Al Jazeera Staff
At least nine Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn, as Egypt hosts a new round of talks between Hamas and Palestinian factions. The talks aim to salvage a US-brokered ceasefire deal that has stalled over disagreements on key issues.
The Israeli military has killed at least nine people and wounded dozens more across the Gaza Strip since dawn, according to information compiled by Al Jazeera, as Egypt began hosting a new round of talks with Hamas leaders and other Palestinian factions to salvage a US-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Among the victims, five were killed in an attack on a police station in the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis city, three died in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, and one was killed on the beach of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.
Major fighting had been paused since last October under a ceasefire agreement that ended two years of war. However, no deal has been reached to implement a US-backed plan to withdraw Israeli forces, disarm Hamas, and rebuild Gaza.
According to sources from Hamas and officials close to the talks in Cairo who spoke to Reuters, Hamas has informed envoys from the Peace Council and mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey that an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza is necessary for any progress.
The discussions are expected to continue over the next few days.
Since last October, about 947 Palestinians have been killed and over 2,900 wounded in ongoing Israeli attacks. During the same period, Hamas militants have killed four Israeli soldiers.
Apartment blocks, markets, vehicles, and cafes continue to be bombed. Families receive evacuation orders just minutes before their homes are bombed.
The Israeli military controls about 64% of the Gaza Strip, up from the 53% expected under the ceasefire deal. In the areas under its control, the Israeli military has forcibly displaced Palestinians and leveled remaining buildings.
On May 28, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the military to expand control of the Gaza Strip to 70%.
After the first phase of the ceasefire, where Hamas released all remaining hostages in exchange for some Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, the two sides were supposed to move to a more sensitive second phase. The Palestinian armed group would disarm and Israeli forces would begin withdrawing from Palestinian territory. But that transition has been stalled for months as the two sides' positions remain far apart on key issues, particularly the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of the Israeli military from the land.
On Friday, Husam Badran, a member of Hamas's political office, told Al Jazeera that the Palestinian group would not hand over its weapons, saying the fate of its military arsenal would be decided after comprehensive discussions with other Palestinian factions.
