Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Jerusalem, October 6 (Xinhua) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a high-ranking delegation to fly to Egypt on Monday for indirect talks with Hamas to end the war in the Gaza Strip, his office announced on Sunday.
The negotiating team will be led by Ron Dermer, Minister of Strategic Planning and a close ally of B. Netanyahu.
Representatives of Hamas and Israel will discuss in Sharm el-Sheikh a US proposal to end the nearly 24-month war and release the 48 hostages still held in Gaza. The war has already claimed the lives of more than 67,000 Palestinians, devastated the enclave, and led to famine in the Gaza Strip.
Israel said on Saturday it had halted all military operations to capture Gaza City and was now solely on the defensive.
However, on Sunday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited the northern Gaza Strip and warned that military operations would resume if the upcoming talks fail.
"If political efforts fail, we will return to combat. We will continue to fulfill our mission while protecting the lives of our soldiers," he said.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also warned that the Israeli offensive on Gaza would intensify if Hamas refused to release the hostages held in the enclave. "If Hamas refuses to release the hostages, the IDF will once again intensify its shelling until Hamas is completely defeated and all hostages are freed," he said at a ceremony in Jerusalem commemorating the fallen soldiers.
Israeli troops are “operating in the center of Gaza City and are prepared for any developments,” added I. Katz. –0–
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