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The Israeli military has struck approximately 40 targets in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, the Israeli Defence Forces said on Friday, shortly after Hamas rejected another ceasefire proposal. According to the Palestinian group, the Israeli plan does not meet its key demand – a complete end to the war.
This was reported by Reuters.
Since the start of the renewed offensive last month, Israel has seized nearly a third of the enclave’s territory, advancing from the north and south after breaking the previous two-month truce. The goal, according to Tel Aviv, is to put pressure on Hamas to release hostages and completely disarm the group.
Active hostilities in the south and north
Israeli troops are operating in the Shabura and Tel al-Sultan areas near the city of Rafah in the south, as well as in the north of the Gaza Strip, where, according to the IDF, they control significant areas east of Gaza City.
Meanwhile, Egyptian mediators are trying to restore the ceasefire concluded in January, but there has been no progress in the negotiations. The main differences between the parties are the role of Hamas after the war and guarantees of Israel’s security.
Offers and ultimatums
On Thursday evening, one of the leaders of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Haya, said that the group is ready to exchange all 59 hostages for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel in exchange for an end to the war and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
However, he rejected the Israeli proposal for the complete disarmament of Hamas, calling it “imposing unrealistic conditions”.
Israel has not yet officially responded to al-Hayyah’s statement, but government ministers have repeatedly stressed that Hamas must be completely disarmed and removed from governing Gaza.
The buffer zone will remain
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant and Minister Israel Katz have previously stated that troops will remain in the buffer zone along the border with Gaza – even after any political settlement is concluded. The buffer zone already divides the Gaza Strip in two and is controlled by the IDF.
