"Hamas had drawn a welcoming response from Trump on Friday by saying it accepted certain key parts of his 20-point peace proposal, including ending the war, Israel's withdrawal, and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives. But the group has left some issues subject to further negotiation, as well as questions unanswered, such as whether it would be willing to disarm, a key demand from Israel to end the war."
""Progress would depend on whether Hamas would agree to the map, which shows the Israeli army would remain in control of most of the Gaza Strip," said a Palestinian official, close to the talks. "Hamas may also ask for a strict timetable for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The first phase of talks will determine how things are going to proceed," he told Reuters, asking not to be named."
"In Gaza City, which Israel describes as one of Hamas' last bastions, Israeli forces pressed ahead with attacks and warned residents who left against returning, saying it was a "dangerous combat zone." On Sunday, witnesses said Israeli planes escalated attacks against targets across the city, Gaza's biggest urban centre. This followed a tense night in which drones dropped grenades on the rooftops of residential buildings and troops blew up explosive-laden vehicles,"
Israel escalated military operations in Gaza even as Cairo prepared to host ceasefire talks with delegates from Hamas, Israel, the United States and Qatar. U.S. President Donald Trump posted that Israel had agreed to an initial withdrawal line inside Gaza and that the ceasefire would become immediately effective once Hamas confirms. Hamas accepted key parts of a 20-point proposal including ending the war, Israeli withdrawal, and release of hostages, but left issues like disarmament and territorial control unresolved. A Palestinian official said progress depends on agreement to the map and a withdrawal timetable. Gaza City saw intensified strikes, drone attacks and demolitions, with warnings to civilians not to return.
Read at Irish Independent
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