The Israeli military has continued its offensive near the southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis amid international pressure to stop the fighting in Gaza and prevent a wider regional conflict with Iran and its allies. Palestinian doctors said at least 18 people were killed and many injured in an Israeli military attack on Khan Yunis on Monday. Many families and displaced people have been removed from the affected area due to new evacuation orders from the area.
Mediators should put pressure on Israel for ceasefire
The doctor further said that Israeli air strikes killed five people in the Zeitoun suburb of Gaza city and two others in Rafah near the Egyptian border. As the fighting continues, Hamas on Thursday cast doubt on new talks brokered by Egypt and Qatar, saying it had not seen any move from Israel. The group said on Sunday that mediators should press Israel to accept a ceasefire proposal based on US President Joe Biden's views.
Coordinated with Israel before calling for talks
According to two sources close to Hamas, the group is confident that the new call for talks was coordinated with Israel in advance. They said this was done to prevent Iranian and Hezbollah reactions to the killing of the group's head Hasmail Haniyeh in Tehran and a top Hezbollah leader in Lebanon.
These are the allegations against Netanyahu
“You can say this is a general rejection,” said a Palestinian official involved in the mediation efforts. Things could change if Hamas receives a workable plan and Israel responds positively to the proposal, but so far Hamas believes Netanyahu is not serious about reaching an agreement. Hamas' response to the talks comes amid preparations for a large-scale escalation of the conflict. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant told US Secretary of State Lloyd Austin that Iran is preparing a major military attack on Israel.