Gaza Truce Talks Conclude Without Resolution as Rafah Prepares for Israeli Assault – Reuters

By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Dan Williams, and Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

CAIRO/JERUSALEM/GAZA – Recent discussions involving the U.S., Egypt, Israel, and Qatar regarding a truce in Gaza have concluded without any significant progress. There are growing appeals for Israel to delay an anticipated offensive in the southern part of the enclave, which is now home to over a million displaced individuals.

The city of Rafah, which had a pre-war population of approximately 300,000, is overflowing with residents living in tent camps and makeshift shelters after fleeing Israeli bombardments from northern Gaza during the prolonged conflict.

Israel’s intent is to root out Hamas militants from Rafah and secure the release of Israeli hostages believed to be held there. Plans to evacuate Palestinian civilians are under consideration, but aid organizations stress that those displaced have nowhere else to seek refuge in the devastated territory.

United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths warned that an Israeli ground assault in Rafah could severely hinder humanitarian relief efforts. He stated, "Military operations in Rafah could lead to a slaughter in Gaza and jeopardize the fragile humanitarian operations in place."

Residents reported that Israeli tanks shelled the eastern part of Rafah overnight, inciting panic. Some displaced individuals have begun leaving Rafah due to the recent attacks.

"Last night in Rafah was very tough. We’re going back to Al-Maghazi out of fear," recounted Nahla Jarwan, who has been displaced multiple times throughout the conflict. "Wherever we go, there is no safety."

Despite neighboring Egypt, the authorities in Cairo have made clear that they will not permit a mass exodus of refugees across the border.

In the past 24 hours, Gaza health officials reported 133 new Palestinian fatalities, increasing the total death toll to 28,473, along with 68,146 injuries since the onset of hostilities on October 7. Many more are believed to be trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings in an area where much infrastructure is in ruins. Urgent shortages of food, water, and medical supplies are emerging, leading to the spread of disease.

Currently, about half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are crowded into Rafah. Aya, a 30-year-old living in a tent with her family, expressed the anxiety felt with each passing night. "Since Israel announced they are invading Rafah soon, we read our last prayers every night," she shared.

INCONCLUSIVE TRUCE TALKS

In a diplomatic effort in Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with CIA Director William Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani to negotiate a ceasefire and enhance humanitarian aid flows into Gaza. However, reports indicate that no significant outcomes were achieved during these discussions.

The Egyptian statement did not mention Israel, and the Israeli delegation has since departed. Israel’s government reiterated its commitment to continue military operations until Hamas is thoroughly eradicated.

A Palestinian official indicated that the involved parties were seeking a formula that would be acceptable to Hamas, which demands an end to hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. A Hamas representative noted distrust towards Israel, expressing concerns that the conflict could resume even if hostages are released.

The situation is dire, leading South Africa to request the World Court to assess whether Israel’s intensifying offensive in Rafah requires additional emergency measures to protect Palestinian rights. Last month, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent any actions that could be construed as genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a claim Israel has firmly denied.

Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, stated they have not been informed of any evacuation plans for Rafah. She emphasized the lack of safe alternatives, saying, "No place is safe across the Gaza Strip; the north is shattered and practically unlivable."

U.S. President Joe Biden recently mentioned that efforts are underway to broker a hostage deal to bring about "immediate and sustained" calm in Gaza for at least six weeks. He urged Israel to refrain from a military offensive in Rafah without a comprehensive plan to protect civilians.

In the latest violence, the Israeli military reported killing dozens of Palestinian fighters in southern and central Gaza within a day. Additionally, an Israeli strike in the Nusseirat refugee camp claimed the lives of 16 individuals, followed by another attack in Gaza City that resulted in six fatalities, including children.

On Tuesday, Israeli sniper fire at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis reportedly killed three Palestinians and injured ten others, reinforcing the ongoing crisis.