Netanyahu doubles down on cease-fire sticking point
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doubling down on his position demanding an Israeli presence at the Egypt-Gaza border, despite criticism from Israeli officials that it is not necessary. Hamas is demanding a total withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Israel Defense Forces Chief Herzi Halevi and Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have both said IDF presence in the Philadelphi corridor is not necessary for security; they believe Hamas' capabilities have been destroyed.
"Netanyahu insists on the principle that Israel will control the Philadelphia axis, with the aim of preventing the rearming of Hamas, which would allow it the ability to repeat the atrocities of the Oct. 7," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
Aug 22, 2024, 1:52 PM EDT
Cease-fire talks resume in Cairo
Cease-fire negotiations are expected to resume in Cairo on Thursday and Friday, without much hope for a breakthrough due to tensions over control of the Philadelphi corridor, which separates Gaza and Egypt, according to an Egyptian government source.
Negotiations are in preparation for a second summit currently planned for Sunday in Cairo, "if Hamas comes to the table," according to an Israeli official.
Hamas said Thursday it agreed to a deal and that Israel changed the parameters of that deal, according to in interview on Al Jazeera.
"The U.S. Secretary of State's statements aim to market illusions, while [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu deliberately obstructs efforts to reach an agreement to end the war, by setting conditions that contradict what was previously agreed upon," Hamas Political Bureau member Hossam Badran said in the interview.
-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy and Dana Savir
Aug 22, 2024, 1:34 PM EDT
At least 24 NGOs say latest Gaza evacuation order is 'inhumane'
The latest Israeli evacuation order is "inhumane" forcing "another mass movement of families and humanitarian workers from areas in Deir al-Balah - one of the only remaining areas in the occupied Gaza Strip with essential infrastructure and warehouses storing aid supplies," at least 24 nongovernmental organizations said in a joint statement Thursday.
"Many Palestinian families, already forcibly displaced countless times since October, are on the move yet again, including humanitarian workers critical to providing the limited aid response that is still possible," the NGOs said.
Palestinians watch as smoke rises from a building hit by an Israeli strike after a warning from the army to its occupants to evacuate the premises, in the Rimal neighborhood of central Gaza City, Aug. 21, 2024.
Omar Al-qattaa/AFP via Getty Images
The Israeli designated "humanitarian zone" now encompasses less than 11% of Gaza, according to the U.N.
The NGOs also said the orders have obstructed numerous groups' aid operations and impacted medical facilities. The groups also warned they will impact the ability to administer polio vaccines, amid the increasing risk of an outbreak.
"The situation has become incredibly dangerous. There's constant fighting, and the sounds of shelling and explosions are clearly audible. Skin diseases are spreading rapidly. We’re all becoming paranoid that we’ll get infected. The physical toll is real. I’ve been having severe stomach pains, likely from the contaminated water we’re forced to drink. I don’t know how much longer we can survive like this," said Lena, a Mercy Corps staff member in Gaza, in a statement.
Aug 22, 2024, 7:53 AM EDT
More arrests, terrorism charges after West Bank settler violence
Four people -- including a minor -- have been arrested on terrorism charges in connection with recent deadly violence in the occupied West Bank.
Last week, Israeli settlers set fire to homes and cars in the Palestinian village of Jit, killing one Palestinian resident and injuring another. One person was arrested that night on Aug. 15 when Israeli security forces intervened. There have now been a total of five arrests.
In a joint statement issued Thursday, the Israel Police and the Israel Securities Authority (ISA) said the detainees are “suspected in several acts of terrorism against Palestinians, including the severe riots” that occurred in Jit.
“This was a severe terror event that included setting fire to buildings and vehicles, stone and Molotov cocktail hurling, as well as live fire, resulting in the killing of one Palestinian and the injuring of another.”
The investigation of the events is ongoing, the statement said.
