Israel continues its operation in Gaza while international pressure to reach cease-fire grows

(28 Apr 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Southern Israel - Gaza border, Israel - 28 April 2024
1. Tank shooting near Israel-Gaza border
2. Smoke rising behind destroyed buildings in Gaza
3. Israeli flag and tank moving seen behind it
4. Various of tanks moving
5. Smoke rising
6. Various of tanks moving and smoke rising behind destroyed buildings
STORYLINE:
Israel continued its operation in Gaza on Sunday, as international pressure on Hamas and Israel to reach a ceasefire grows.
Smoke plumes and tanks were seen operating in Gaza across the border from Israel.
A senior Qatari official has urged both parts to show “more commitment and more seriousness” in cease-fire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds to reach a deal that would free some Israeli hostages and bring a cease-fire in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.
Qatar, which hosts Hamas' headquarters in Doha, has been a key intermediary and was instrumental, along with the U.S. and Egypt, in helping negotiate a brief halt to the fighting in November that led to the release of dozens of hostages.
But in a sign of frustration, Qatar this month said that it was reassessing its mediator role.
An Israeli delegation is expected in Egypt in the coming days to discuss the latest proposals in negotiations, and senior Hamas official Basem Naim said in a message to The Associated Press that a delegation from the militant group will also head to Cairo.
Egypt’s state-owned al-Qahera TV said the delegation would arrive on Monday.
The interviews with Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari by liberal daily Haaretz and Israeli public broadcaster Kan were published and aired Saturday evening.
They came as Israel vows to invade Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah despite global concern for more than 1 million Palestinians sheltering there.
Al-Ansari expressed disappointment with Hamas and Israel, saying each side has made decisions based on political interests and not with civilians' welfare in mind.
He didn't reveal details on the talks other than to say they have “effectively stopped,” with “both sides entrenched in their positions.”
Israel has massed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles in the South of the country, near Rafah border. The planned incursion has raised global alarm.
AP video by Joeal Calupitan
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