Hamas leader due in Cairo for truce talks
PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was expected in Cairo on Thursday for talks on a proposed truce in Gaza, as Israel kept up its offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Hamas was reviewing a proposal for a six-week truce in its war with Israel after mediators gathered in Paris, with international efforts toward a new pause in the devastating war gathering pace.
In Gaza, there was no letup in fighting or aerial bombardment, with the current focus of combat in the main southern city of Khan Younis, where Israel says leading Hamas militants are hiding.
Overnight, witnesses said several Israeli airstrikes hit the city, while aid and health workers have for days reported heavy fighting, particularly around two hospitals.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, 119 people were killed in the latest night of strikes.
“There is a massacre taking place right now,” said Leo Cans, head of mission for international NGO Doctors Without Borders for the Palestinian Territories.
“The civilians of Gaza are not parties to this conflict, and they should be protected, as should be their health facilities,” he added.
In its latest update, the UN reported heavy bombardment across the Gaza Strip, particularly in Khan Younis, while it said 184,000 Palestinians from the city were registered to receive humanitarian assistance after fleeing their homes.
The war was triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.