Gaza

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Cairo on Wednesday for talks with Egyptian officials, Reuters reported. The discussions will focus on developments in the war with Israel in Gaza, Hamas said in a statement. On the Wednesday night, the American media outlet Axios reported that Israel had offered to end the war in Gaza for at least a week in exchange for more releases of hostages. Axios quotes two “Israeli officials” and “an informed source.” Reuters quoted an unnamed source as saying intensive talks were underway on a ceasefire and the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
     Reuters quoted an unnamed source on Wednesday as saying Israel insisted women and wounded men be among the hostages released under a new deal. Hamas has previously said it does not want to enter into new negotiations until bombing in Gaza ends. It is believed that there are about 130 hostages and prisoners of war left in Gaza. Ismail Haniyeh was reportedly the man who ordered the surprise attack on Israel. He said after the Hamas attack in Israel that the group is “on the verge of a great victory”.
     On Tuesday, the Hamas-controlled health ministry of the Gaza Strip said 19,667 people had been killed in the war that began on October 7 and with over 52,000 wounded. Some 2.3 million people live in the densely built-up Palestinian territory. According to the UN, more than 80 percent of the population of the Gaza Strip has fled their homes due to the Israeli military offensive. /ritzau/Reuters/