Israel fires on Gaza's south as ceasefire extension fails
economictimes.indiatimes.comIsrael's military increased airstrikes on Hamas targets in southern Gaza, a widening front in the war, as each side ruled out further talks toward a renewed cease-fire.
Israel pulled its negotiating team from Qatar, denting hopes that a seven-day cease-fire, accompanied by exchanges of hostages and prisoners, would be extended.
Saleh al-Arouri, a senior Hamas official, said on Saturday there would be «no hostage exchanges until the end of the war.»
The Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement that «Hamas did not uphold its part of the agreement, which included the release of all of the children and women according to a list that was given to Hamas and approved by it.»
Israel said it struck 400 «terrorist targets» in Gaza, including 50 in the area of Khan Yunis, the southern city where Israel believes that top Hamas leaders are now hiding. Many nations, including allies like the US, are warning Israel not to use the overwhelming force in the south as it did in the north, where it leveled much of Gaza City and thousands of Gazans were killed.
Israel's strikes in the south, a possible prelude to a ground invasion there, are more difficult now because of the displacement of what the United Nations says are 1.8 million Gazans, many of whom fled there on Israeli orders to avoid intense fighting in the north.
«As Israel defends itself, it matters how,» Vice President Kamala Harris said following a meeting with Arab leaders in Dubai on Saturday.
«The United States is unequivocal international humanitarian law must be respected. Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.
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