Israel’s negotiators are in Egypt discussing hostages with Egyptian officials as military strikes in Gaza reportedly kill 14 Palestinians amidst ongoing tensions despite a ceasefire established on January 19.

Israeli officials announced that a negotiating team is actively engaging with Egyptian mediators to address the issue of hostages. This effort is being conducted under the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who confirmed the negotiations in a recent statement. The talks aim to establish a pathway to mitigate ongoing tensions and facilitate discussions regarding a potential ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

In parallel to the negotiations, recent Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry. Reports indicate that these strikes occurred over the past 24 hours, with Palestinian officials asserting that deadly confrontations have persisted even following the declaration of a truce on January 19.

Israel’s military has articulated that its actions are aimed at preventing potential threats posed by militants, noting interventions against individuals they identify as “terrorists.” These operations are justified by claims of threats posed to Israeli troops and the intent to preempt attacks or bomb plantings in the region since the ceasefire took effect.

In summary, Israeli negotiators are presently engaged in critical discussions with Egyptian mediators regarding hostages, as reported by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office. Concurrently, the situation in Gaza remains precarious, with significant casualties resulting from ongoing Israeli strikes, despite the recent ceasefire agreement aimed at reducing large-scale violence. Israel’s military actions continue to emphasize the perceived threats posed by militants in the region.

Original Source: www.scmp.com