Israel Denies Ceasefire in Gaza as Negotiations Resume in Cairo
The situation in the Gaza Strip is witnessing simultaneous developments on both the military and diplomatic fronts, as intense Israeli airstrikes continue while Cairo prepares to host new negotiations regarding prisoner exchange.
For its part, a spokesperson for the Israeli government denied the existence of any ceasefire, confirming that what is happening is merely a "temporary halt to some bombing operations". She added that the Israeli army retains the right to "continue its operations in Gaza for defensive purposes".
In the context of the diplomatic track, the spokesperson indicated that Israeli negotiators will head to Egypt in preparation for expected negotiations regarding the release of hostages. This announcement came as the Egyptian foreign ministry confirmed Cairo's hosting of delegations from Israel and Hamas.
On the ground, the intensity of military operations has escalated as Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on northern Khan Younis, while artillery targeted areas in the Nuseirat camp. In a notable development, the Israeli army completely destroyed Al-Azhar University in the center of Gaza City, according to local sources.
Casualties did not stop there, as medical sources in the sector's hospitals reported the deaths of 70 citizens due to gunfire and shelling by the Israeli army in various areas, while the army carried out 93 airstrikes within 24 hours.
On another front, diplomatic activity is escalating as Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is set to head his country's delegation to Cairo. Additionally, U.S. President Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading to Egypt to participate in finalizing a potential agreement.
This comes in the wake of Trump's announcement of his peace plan, which is based on the immediate release of Israeli prisoners in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the sector, the disarmament of all of Gaza, and the formation of a transitional authority to manage the sector.
