JERUSALEM
Israel has decided to escalate its fighting in the Gaza Strip to improve its position in Gaza cease-fire and hostage swap talks, an Israeli news website said Sunday.
“The Israeli security cabinet recently instructed the military to intensify its operations in Gaza to strengthen Israel’s position in the negotiations,” Walla reported, citing unnamed political sources.
The move coincides with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Israel, where Israeli security officials expect him to put significant pressure on Tel Aviv to reach an agreement with Hamas, according to Walla.
There has been no official Israeli statement on the matter.
Cease-fire talks in the Qatari capital Doha concluded Friday by presenting “a proposal that narrows the gaps” between Israel and Hamas that is consistent with the principles set out by US President Joe Biden on May 31.
Biden said in May that Israel presented a three-phase deal that would end hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held in the coastal enclave. The plan includes a cease-fire, a hostage-prisoner exchange and the reconstruction of Gaza.
For months, the US, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to ensure a prisoner exchange and cease-fire and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
