So far, indirect negotiations of Israel and Hamas about a new ceasefire have been unsuccessful and were recently interrupted. However, the intermediaries – the USA, Qatar and Egypt – are trying to resume the talks. The “Times of Israel” quoted a rank -high Israeli official, according to which Netanyahu will order the sending of an Israeli delegation as soon as a place is set for new negotiations.
Netanyahu is among growing pressure internationally to end the war. At the same time, he sees threats to his right -wing extremist coalition partners who would leave his government if he makes an agreement with Hamas about a ceasefire. Netanyahu had recently stated that he was no longer ready for a “partial agreement”. Instead, one strives for a deal that provides for the release of all hostages, the disarmament and removal of Hamas as a military and governing force in Gaza and Israel’s security control over the area. Critics accuse him of wanting to sabotage an agreement with his conditions for an end of the war.
At the beginning of August, the security cabinet approved the capture of the city of Gaza and the evacuation of the population to the south. According to estimates, around one million people are currently estimated in the largest city in the sealed coastal area. Preparations for their relocation to the south have already started according to the Israeli army. Health authorities and international aid organizations in the Gaza Strip have been asked to move medical equipment from the city to the south.
Israel also started to bring tents and accommodations there. More medical goods should also follow. It is unclear how exactly the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people should work. It is feared that the offensive will worsen the already catastrophic situation of the civilian population. According to aid organizations, the health system is already on the ground in the coastal area largely devastated by the war.
Meanwhile, in Israel’s neighboring country Lebanon, the government there is under pressure to enforce the ceasefire between Israel and the Hisbollah militia. This includes that all weapons in the country – including those of the Hisbollah – get under state control. Now the army has collected light weapons for the first time in a Palestinian refugee camp. The State Agency NNA reported incidents. In the coming weeks there would be further gun handles to the state, Prime Minister Nauaf Salam wrote to X and welcomed the beginning of the process.
