No Gaza deal unless civilians and bodies held by Hamas released, senior Israeli official says
Israeli tanks on Gaza border
Yaniv Kubovich, Jack Khoury, noa landau and Amos Harel write in Haaretz, “The Israeli military struck Palestinians launching airbone firebombs toward Israel on Sunday, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed. Four Palestinians were wounded in the strike, according to Palestinian reports, which came hours before the security cabinet convened in Jerusalem Sunday afternoon to discuss the indirect negotiations with Hamas over the Gaza Strip. Six fires erupted on Sunday as a result of airborne firebombs in Gaza border communities, Israel’s firefighter service reported. An airborne firebomb landed in the Israeli community of Merhavim near the Gaza border. The military’s chief of staff briefed ministers during the security cabinet meeting on developments in Gaza.”
Palestinians load incendiary balloons
“The second phase will include talks on a prisoner exchange, centered on the return to Israel of the bodies of two soldiers being held by Hamas in return for the advancement of internationally funded humanitarian projects. An Israeli official stressed that the current talks are focused solely on a cease-fire, adding that a complete one would lead to re-opening the Kerem Shalon crossing and reapproving permits relating to fishing perimeters. He stressed that there will be no broad regularization without the return of captured Israeli civilians and
soldiers’ bodies held in the Gaza Strip.”…
“Senior members of the security cabinet told Haaretz that a decision on the deal will be taken within a few days. They said they believe that if the deal falls through, a new round of violence will erupt. A vote on a comprehensive deal is not expected to occur at Sunday’s meeting, though rather an “update” on how talks are progressing.” (
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