(PrimeChronicle.org) – Hamas and Israel concluded talks in Cairo without coming to an agreement. Israeli officials have announced plans to expand military operations in the region. Hamas leaders have vowed not to cease attacks on Israel unless Israel agrees to end all moves against Hamas now and in the future. Israeli representatives worry that Hamas’s all-or-nothing stance will prevent any agreements from being reached.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared that Hamas’s refusal to come to an agreement will likely force Israel to begin operations in Rafah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he and his country have shown “willingness” to come to terms, while Hamas leadership has continued to demand that Israel completely remove itself from Gaza and allow Hamas to rule the region. The prime minister has suggested that leaving Hamas in power unchecked is “unacceptable” and he will not agree to terms that allow Hamas to retain power in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas said that it agreed to ceasefire terms but Israel says it could not accept Hamas’s extreme demands. While there is still hope for an agreement to be reached, an incursion by Israel into Gaza is increasingly likely. Over one million refugees are currently taking shelter in Gaza. To avoid global backlash at minimum Israel would need to carry through with plans to evacuate refugees. Israel has currently ordered roughly 100,000 refugees and other civilians to leave the area.
Israeli tanks have been positioned near Gaza. Targeted airstrikes on Rafah have also begun.
The relationship between the US and Israel is under significant pressure. United States Vice President Kamala Harris is under fire for blundering a response to a question on the US and Israel’s strained relationship. Harris was leaving a restaurant with her lunch order when confronted by reporters on the status of the US-Israel relations, the vice president responded, “Shrimp and grits.” Kamala had no further statements on international relations.
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