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Strikes after Kushner meeting
Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip intensified after U.S. envoy Jared Kushner met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, leaving 17 dead in less than 24 hours, according to Al-Jazeera Net.
“leaving 17 dead in less than 24 hours”
Al-Jazeera Net said the escalation followed Kushner’s Monday evening meeting, which it said did not yield any breakthrough obliging Israel to implement the roadmap approved by Hamas, and it reported that the Israeli army escalated strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The same Al-Jazeera Net report said Gaza’s interior ministry announced eight of its officers and a displaced girl were martyred when Israel targeted a police headquarters in Gaza City.
Al-Jazeera Net also reported that a Palestinian was martyred in an Israeli strike that targeted a motorcycle in the Nuseirat camp in the center of the Strip, and it said the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza announced seven Palestinians killed, including a child, and several others wounded in a strike on the Port area in Gaza City.
AP News said that just two days after U.S. negotiators reportedly asked Israel to draw down attacks in the Gaza Strip, at least 10 people were killed Wednesday in two strikes, according to local hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Hamas warns of ceasefire risk
Hamas political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya warned that escalating Israeli attacks could threaten the continuation of the ceasefire agreement, calling on mediators and guarantors to intervene to prevent its collapse, according to Palestine Chronicle.
Palestine Chronicle quoted al-Hayya saying, “the occupation is continuing its criminal policy, disregarding all mediations and guarantees.”
Palestine Chronicle also reported that nine Palestinians were killed and 15 others wounded on Wednesday when Israeli occupation forces targeted the Municipality Police headquarters in Gaza City, according to Al Mayadeen.
In a separate account, Al-Jazeera Net said Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of undermining mediator efforts and pushing to reignite genocide in Gaza, and it quoted Khalil Hayya warning of the consequences of Israeli escalation on the ceasefire.
Al-Jazeera Net further said Hamas’ statement deplored “the 'ongoing barbarism and deliberate killings by the occupation'” and described it as escalating since Tuesday and targeting senior police leaders on Wednesday.
Diplomatic pressure and next steps
Qatar and Egypt urged the United States to pressure Israel to fully adhere to its commitments under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, with Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani holding a press conference with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Alamein city, according to Al-Jazeera Net.
“to fully adhere to its commitments under the Gaza ceasefire agreement”
Al-Jazeera Net reported that Sheikh Mohammed said he discussed with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi developments in the region, and it quoted him emphasizing the need for Israel to fully adhere to its commitments under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Anadolu Ajansi reported that Shoukry and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said they relied on the American role, with Shoukry saying, “We emphasize the importance of the American role in ensuring Israel’s commitments under the ceasefire, and we rely on direct intervention by President (Donald) Trump in this matter.”
Anadolu Ajansi said the “Peace Council,” chaired by Trump, announced a roadmap for implementing the next stages of the ceasefire on July 31, and it listed phased Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction alongside Hamas’s disarmament and putting weapons under the committee’s responsibility.
AP News said the ceasefire also appeared stalled, with major sticking points emerging over the conditions of Hamas’s disarmament and Israel’s withdrawal, and it reported that Netanyahu pushed back on the deal saying Israel won’t withdraw from its current lines in Gaza until Hamas has completely disarmed.