 "Israel asks Gazans to evacuate 'combat zones' as Hamas indicates willingness to negotiate truce deal")
The Israeli army on Wednesday urged residents in Gaza to evacuate “combat zones” in the northern and southern parts of Palestine, a day after it resumed air strikes as ceasefire talks with Hamas faltered.
In a post on X, military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned people in Beit Hanun, Khirbet Khuza’a and Abasan al-Jadida that “these areas are dangerous combat zones” and they should move to shelters in western Gaza City and Khan Yunis for their own safety.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the massive overnight strikes on Gaza were “only the beginning” and that future negotiations with Hamas “will take place only under fire”.
The strikes have left nearly 400 people dead with hospitals in Gaza overwhelmed and short on medical supplies to treat the injured.
“Hamas has already felt the strength of our arm in the past 24 hours. And I want to promise you –- and them –- this is only the beginning,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. The Israeli premier added “from now on, negotiations will take place only under fire,” before adding: “Military pressure is essential for the release of additional hostages”.
‘Not closed the door’
A Hamas official has told AFP that the group has not “closed the door” on negotiating a truce deal with Israel.
“Hamas has not closed the door on negotiations but we insist there is no need for new agreements,” Taher al-Nunu told AFP on the phone from Cairo, also calling for Israel to be forced to implement the ceasefire.
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More Shorts“There is no need for new agreements in light of the existing agreement signed by all parties,” he added.
Under the ceasefire deal drafted under former US president Joe Biden’s administration, a second phase of the truce should have begun in early March.
With inputs from agencies
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