US, Hamas Envoys Hold Gaza Talks in Cairo

Donald Trump's envoys, Jared Kushner and Nickolay Mladenov, are holding talks in Cairo with mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey on a peace plan for Gaza. Hamas representatives are also taking part in some of the meetings.

Washington's proposal calls for an immediate end to the fighting, the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip under new administration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has called the plan unacceptable, with Tel Aviv particularly objecting to the demand to end targeted assassinations of militants.

Although the October ceasefire halted the main fighting in the two-year war, Israel has resumed airstrikes in recent days. Attacks on Khan Younis and the Nuseirat refugee camp over the weekend caused additional casualties.

Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya has therefore informed the mediators of what the group considers to be Israeli violations of the agreement. Hamas says compliance with the terms depends on a halt to the attacks and the withdrawal of the Israeli army.

Since October, Israeli fire in the enclave has claimed more than 1,250 Palestinian lives, while four Israeli soldiers have been killed in operations in Gaza.

(Reuters, Max)