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Gaza conflict: Peace talks resume in Cairo | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Israel and the Palestinians have resumed peace talks as the expiry of a five-day ceasefire in Gaza looms. | |
As the negotiating teams gathered for indirect talks in Cairo, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would make no concessions on security. | As the negotiating teams gathered for indirect talks in Cairo, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would make no concessions on security. |
Hamas, which controls Gaza, is demanding an end to the Israeli and Egyptian blockade of the territory. | Hamas, which controls Gaza, is demanding an end to the Israeli and Egyptian blockade of the territory. |
More than 2,000 people, mostly Palestinians, have been killed since the Gaza conflict began on 8 July. | More than 2,000 people, mostly Palestinians, have been killed since the Gaza conflict began on 8 July. |
Israel started its offensive in response to militant attacks, including rocket fire, from Gaza. | Israel started its offensive in response to militant attacks, including rocket fire, from Gaza. |
The current ceasefire came into effect on Thursday - building on a previous three-day truce. But it is due to expire at midnight (21:00 GMT) on Monday. | The current ceasefire came into effect on Thursday - building on a previous three-day truce. But it is due to expire at midnight (21:00 GMT) on Monday. |
Reports say an Egyptian plan would see the current ceasefire being extended, allowing both sides to resume talks on the most difficult issues at a later date. | Reports say an Egyptian plan would see the current ceasefire being extended, allowing both sides to resume talks on the most difficult issues at a later date. |
'Clear mandate' | 'Clear mandate' |
At his weekly cabinet meeting, Mr Netanyahu was uncompromising on the issue of Israeli security. | At his weekly cabinet meeting, Mr Netanyahu was uncompromising on the issue of Israeli security. |
"The Israeli delegation in Cairo is acting with a very clear mandate to stand firmly on Israel's security needs," he said. | "The Israeli delegation in Cairo is acting with a very clear mandate to stand firmly on Israel's security needs," he said. |
Israel wants to see the complete demilitarisation of Gaza. Egyptian and Palestinian sources have previously said that Israel has indicated it may relax parts of the blockade on Gaza. | Israel wants to see the complete demilitarisation of Gaza. Egyptian and Palestinian sources have previously said that Israel has indicated it may relax parts of the blockade on Gaza. |
An unnamed Palestinian negotiator quoted by Associated Press news agency said his side was "less optimistic than we were earlier" about reaching a deal before the ceasefire runs out. | An unnamed Palestinian negotiator quoted by Associated Press news agency said his side was "less optimistic than we were earlier" about reaching a deal before the ceasefire runs out. |
However, Palestinian delegation head Azzam al-Ahmad told AFP he had "high hopes of reaching an agreement very soon". | However, Palestinian delegation head Azzam al-Ahmad told AFP he had "high hopes of reaching an agreement very soon". |
Hamas spokesman Abu Zuhri said the Palestinians would not back down from demands for an end to the blockade. | Hamas spokesman Abu Zuhri said the Palestinians would not back down from demands for an end to the blockade. |
"All these demands are basic human rights," he said. | "All these demands are basic human rights," he said. |
Hardship | Hardship |
The latest Gaza conflict began as tensions escalated over the arrests of Hamas-linked militants blamed by Israel for the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers. | The latest Gaza conflict began as tensions escalated over the arrests of Hamas-linked militants blamed by Israel for the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers. |
Israeli air strikes and shell fire have sharply increased the hardship suffered by civilians in Gaza, with homes destroyed and a lack of water and medical supplies. | Israeli air strikes and shell fire have sharply increased the hardship suffered by civilians in Gaza, with homes destroyed and a lack of water and medical supplies. |
Israeli civilians have been forced to seek shelter from hundreds of rockets launched at Israel, though many missiles have been blocked by the Iron Dome defence system. | Israeli civilians have been forced to seek shelter from hundreds of rockets launched at Israel, though many missiles have been blocked by the Iron Dome defence system. |
Most of the more than 1,900 Palestinians killed are civilians, according to the United Nations. | Most of the more than 1,900 Palestinians killed are civilians, according to the United Nations. |
On the Israeli side, 67 people, all but three of them soldiers, have died. | On the Israeli side, 67 people, all but three of them soldiers, have died. |
Israel occupied Gaza in 1967 and pulled its troops and settlers out in 2005. | Israel occupied Gaza in 1967 and pulled its troops and settlers out in 2005. |
However, it still exercises control over most of Gaza's borders, water and air space, while Egypt controls Gaza's southern border. | However, it still exercises control over most of Gaza's borders, water and air space, while Egypt controls Gaza's southern border. |
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