Israeli air strike in Gaza ahead of new talks on truce with Hamas

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Israel carried out an air strike on fighters in northern Gaza, rattling an already fragile ceasefire as it prepared for fresh talks in Doha on the future of its truce with Hamas, AFP reports.

“Hamas stresses the urgency of forcing the occupation to immediately begin second-phase negotiations under the agreed parameters,” senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi told AFP, adding this would pave the way for a permanent end to the fighting.

Hamas’s key demands for the second phase include a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an end to the Israeli blockade, the reconstruction of the Palestinian territory and financial support, Mardawi said.

Following talks with mediators, Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanoua said indicators were so far “positive”.

A Hamas source said its delegation had now left Cairo for Doha.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it would send delegates to the Qatari capital on Monday, and Israeli media reported the security cabinet would discuss the matter later on Sunday.

Israel’s military said its air strike had targeted militants who “were identified operating in proximity to IDF troops and attempting to plant an explosive device in the ground in northern Gaza”.

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