Israel claimed that its massacre in central Gaza was meant to rescue four captives held by Hamas. The Israeli operation in the Nuseirat camp left 270 killed and more than 700 wounded.
Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have been mediating talks between Hamas and Israel since the outbreak of the Israeli military campaign on 7 October over details for a ceasefire and the exchange of captives and prisoners.
The latest round of truce talks in Cairo in early May concluded without reaching a deal. Israel then forged ahead with its Rafah plan, sending forces to the border city and taking over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
Efforts have been ongoing since US President Joe Biden’s truce proposal to revive the talks.
Several meetings have been held in recent days gathering security leaders from Egypt, Qatar and the US to revive the stalled talks.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to the Middle East this week, visiting Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Qatar.
On Saturday, Egypt condemned in the strongest terms the attack on the camp, saying it “constitutes a blatant violation of all provisions of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as all values of humanity and human rights.”
“Egypt held Israel legally and morally responsible for this flagrant assault, demanding that Israel comply with its obligations as an occupying power and cease the indiscriminate targeting of Palestinian civilians, including those in areas where they have been displaced,” the statement said.
Source: Aharam Online
