Israel PM Calls For Mediators to 'Pressure' Hamas on Gaza Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, 07 January 2024 (reissued 31 March 2024). EPA/RONEN ZVULUN / POOL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, 07 January 2024 (reissued 31 March 2024). EPA/RONEN ZVULUN / POOL
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Israel PM Calls For Mediators to 'Pressure' Hamas on Gaza Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, 07 January 2024 (reissued 31 March 2024). EPA/RONEN ZVULUN / POOL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, 07 January 2024 (reissued 31 March 2024). EPA/RONEN ZVULUN / POOL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Gaza talks mediators the United States, Qatar and Egypt Friday to "pressure" Hamas to accept a deal.

"Israel hopes that their pressure will lead Hamas to accept the May 27 principles, in order for the details of the agreement to be implemented," a statement from his office said, referring to the three-phase plan submitted to US President Joe Biden.

Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha paused on Friday with negotiators to meet again next week seeking an agreement to end fighting between Israel and Hamas and free remaining hostages, as US President Joe Biden said "we're not there yet".

In a joint statement, the US, Qatar and Egypt said Washington had presented a new proposal that built on points of agreement over the past week, closing gaps in a way that could allow rapid implementation of a deal.

Mediators would keep working on the proposal, they said.

"The path is now set for that outcome, saving lives, bringing relief to the people of Gaza, and de-escalating regional tensions," they said in the statement.

On Thursday, Israel and mediators began the latest round in months of talks to end the war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. Palestinian militant group Hamas was not directly involved but was kept briefed on progress.

A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, told Reuters Israel "did not abide by what was agreed upon" in earlier talks, citing what mediators had told them.



At Least 15 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Strike on Central Gaza's Zawayda

Smoke and soil billow after an Israeli strike in al-Zawayda in the central Gaza Strip on August 8, 2024. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
Smoke and soil billow after an Israeli strike in al-Zawayda in the central Gaza Strip on August 8, 2024. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
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At Least 15 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Strike on Central Gaza's Zawayda

Smoke and soil billow after an Israeli strike in al-Zawayda in the central Gaza Strip on August 8, 2024. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
Smoke and soil billow after an Israeli strike in al-Zawayda in the central Gaza Strip on August 8, 2024. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)

At least 15 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in an Israeli strike on the town of Zawayda in central Gaza, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Saturday.
The Israeli military is aware of reports of 15 people killed in a Gaza airstrike and is looking into them, a spokesperson said.

Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha paused on Friday with negotiators to meet again next week seeking an agreement to end fighting between Israel and Hamas and free remaining hostages.

Despite the negotiations, Israeli forces on Friday pounded targets across tiny, crowded Gaza and issued new orders for people to leave areas it had previously designated as civilian safe zones, saying Hamas had used them to fire mortars and rockets at Israel.

Israel's military campaign has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.