Israeli Airstrikes in Rafah: Casualties and Ceasefire Talks

Casualties in Rafah

Israeli airstrikes on three houses in Rafah, a southern Gaza city, resulted in the death of at least 20 Palestinians and left many wounded, according to medics on Monday. Meanwhile, in Gaza City, situated in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, Israeli warplanes struck two houses, resulting in the death of at least four people and causing several injuries, as reported by health officials.

Ceasefire Talks Expected in Cairo

These strikes in Rafah occurred just hours before anticipated ceasefire talks between Egyptian and Qatari mediators and Hamas leaders in Cairo. The talks are aimed at discussing the prospects for a ceasefire agreement with Israel. The meeting is particularly significant as it follows months of Israeli bombardment, with more than one million people seeking refuge in Rafah alone.

Hamas Delegation to Discuss Truce in Egypt

Hamas officials announced that a delegation led by Khalil Al-Hayya, the group’s deputy Gaza chief, would be discussing a ceasefire proposal with mediators from Qatar and Egypt, along with Israel’s response. Mediators, including those backed by the United States, have intensified efforts to reach a deal amid the ongoing conflict.

Proposed Truce Details

While specific details of the ceasefire proposals remain undisclosed, it is anticipated that Hamas will respond to Israel’s latest truce proposal, which reportedly includes the release of fewer than 40 hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Additionally, a second phase of the truce is proposed, featuring a “period of sustained calm,” serving as Israel’s compromise to Hamas’s demand for a permanent ceasefire.

Monday Talks in Cairo

The talks scheduled for Monday in Cairo will involve discussions between the Hamas delegation and Qatari and Egyptian mediators. The focus will be on clarifying Hamas’s inquiries and questions regarding Israel’s response to its recent proposal, suggesting that Hamas may not provide an immediate response to mediators.