CAIRO/GAZA: Hamas and two other Palestinian groups said a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel was “closer than ever” provided Israel does not impose new conditions, AFP reports.
“The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange agreement) is closer than ever, provided that the enemy stops imposing new conditions,” Hamas said , Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in a rare joint statement. published after the Cairo negotiations.
Palestinian groups meet in Cairo to discuss future governance of Gaza
Palestinian groups – including Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – met in the Egyptian capital to discuss Gaza, ceasefire talks and plans for post-conflict Gaza, reports Al Jazeera citing a statement published on Hamas’ Telegram channel. .
The groups yesterday discussed the latest developments related to the formation of a committee “to manage Gaza after the war.”
Earlier this month, Hamas and the Palestinian Fatah faction agreed in Cairo to create a committee to jointly administer the Gaza Strip once the fighting ends.
Under the plan, which requires approval from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the committee will have between 10 and 15 nonpartisan figures with authority on issues related to the economy, education, health, humanitarian aid and reconstruction, according to a draft proposal consulted by AFP. .
Ministry appeals for supplies for Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital
The Palestinian Ministry of Health has issued an urgent appeal for medical and food supplies to be delivered to Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Beit Lahiya region, Al Jazeera reports.
The ministry said in a statement that there was continuous Israeli shooting and shelling near the hospital. “Shells hit the third floor and the entrances of the hospital, creating a state of panic,” the ministry said.
The ministry also said that Israel “violates the most fundamental rules of international law and international humanitarian law by targeting medical and health centers and not allowing relief and relief to people there.” .
Israeli army uses civilian contractors to demolish houses in Rafah: report
The Israeli army has reportedly used civilian contractors to demolish Palestinian homes and establish military engineering infrastructure in Rafah, southern Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.
Civilian contractors were used in the Shaboura neighborhood of the besieged Egyptian border town, according to the Walla news site, whose reporter was embedded with the Israeli army during a tour of the region.
“The entire area can be described in one word: destruction. Destruction of infrastructure, roads and destruction of buildings,” the Israeli media outlet said.
UNRWA condemns ‘blatant disregard for UN premises’ in Jenin, West Bank
The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) claims to have knowledge of the “forced entry and presence of Palestinian armed actors in its health center in the Jenin camp” in the occupied West Bank, reports Al Jazeera.
The organization said this happened on December 17, adding that it was unable to access the center and currently has no control over the facilities or its use.
“This forced entry and presence of armed Palestinian actors constitutes yet another blatant disregard for UN premises. This occurred while Palestinian security forces were carrying out an operation in and around the camp, which has been ongoing since December 14,” the statement added.
