Israeli air strikes hit about 40 targets on the Gaza Strip on the last day, hours after Hamas rejected an Israeli ceasefire offer that, according to them, did not meet the demand for a total end of the war, the military said on Friday (18).
In March, the Israeli military broke a two -month truce that had largely interrupted the fighting in Gaza. Since then, the forces have advanced through the north and southern enclave, taking almost a third of the territory in an attempt to press Hamas to agree to free hostages and disarm.
Palestinian health officials reported that at least 30 people were killed in attacks on Friday (18), adding to more than 1,500 deaths since Israel resumed air attacks in March.
The military said troops were operating in the areas of Shabura and Al-Sultan, near the city of Rafah, in the south, as well as in northern Gaza, where they took control of large areas east of the city of Gaza.
Egyptian mediators have been trying to reactivate the January ceasefire agreement, which failed when Israel resumed the air attacks and sent land troops back to Gaza, but there are few signs that both sides have approached on fundamental issues.
On Thursday night (17), Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas leader in Gaza, said the movement was willing to exchange all 59 hostages for Palestinians arrested in Israel in exchange for the end of the war and the reconstruction of Gaza.
But he rejected the Israeli offer, which includes the requirement that Hamas deposes the weapons for imposing “impossible conditions.”
Israel did not formally respond to Al-Hayya’s comments, but ministers have repeatedly claimed that Hamas must be completely disarmed and cannot play any role in Gaza’s future governance.
The provision of ceasefire made through Egyptian mediators includes negotiations about a final agreement for the war, but no firm agreement.
Defense Minister Israel Katz also commented this week that the troops would remain in the tampon zone around the border that now extends to the interior of Gaza and divides the enclave into two, even after any agreement.
This content was originally published in Israeli attacks reach about 40 targets in the Gaza Strip on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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