The Islamic group Hamas is criticizing Israel for continuing attacks on the Gaza Strip ahead of planned talks to discuss the release of hostages. Concern is growing that the criticism could have an adverse impact on the negotiations.
Authorities in Gaza announced on Saturday that the Israeli military had carried out more than 93 air and artillery strikes targeting densely populated areas across the Strip, including the region’s largest city of Gaza.
They said 70 people, including women and children, had been killed. Hamas strongly criticized Israel, saying, “This ongoing bloody escalation exposes the lies of the claims of the war criminal Netanyahu’s government regarding reducing military operations.”
Israel’s political leadership had reportedly ordered its military to halt the offensive in Gaza City for the time being and to only carry out defensive operations after US President Donald Trump posted on social media, “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza.”
Israeli and Hamas delegations are scheduled to meet in Egypt on Monday to discuss steps toward a hostage release and a military withdrawal in Gaza.
Cairo has been a mediator in the conflict, and it is reported that a US delegation will also gather in Egypt.
The move came after Hamas agreed on Friday to release all Israeli hostages — one of the conditions in the 20-point peace plan announced by Trump last month.
AloJapan.com