Despite recent armed confrontations, the United States government reports advancements in Gaza peace negotiations.
Over the weekend, attacks using rockets and drones, allegedly by Hezbollah, didn't prevent the mediators from carrying out their tasks in Cairo. U.S. representative Brett McGurk decided to extend his stay in Egypt by an extra day, but he's expected to leave soon, as per Kirby's statement.
In line with his statement, these discussions will continue within a specialized group. The spokesperson suggested that these consultations might carry on for several more days.
The discussions in Cairo focus on negotiating a truce in the conflict between Israel and the radical Islamic Palestinian group, Hamas, based in the Gaza Strip. Neither Israel nor Hamas are directly involved in these negotiations. Instead, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt are serving as intermediaries in these indirect talks.
Simultaneously, Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, claimed responsibility for launching about 340 rockets and a significant number of drones towards Israel on Sunday. In retaliation, Israeli fighter jets reportedly destroyed numerous rocket launchers belonging to Hezbollah, a militia backed by Iran, as per military reports.
After October, there's been a rise in tensions in the Israeli-Lebanese border region. There have been multiple exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli army recently.
The situation has escalated recently due to the latest threats made by Iran and its allies towards Israel. Following the death of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and the military chief of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Fuad Shukr, in July, Iran and Hezbollah threatened Israel with reprisals. As a response, the USA, a close ally of Israel, beefed up its military presence in the region.
This war in Gaza began following an unexpected large-scale attack by Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and EU, and other militant Palestinian groups, against Israel on October 7. Based on Israeli reports, 1197 people were killed, and another 251 were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip.
Consequently, Israel has been conducting extensive military operations in the Gaza Strip. As per Hamas's (unverified) claims, over 40,400 people have been killed since then.
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The United States, as a close ally of Israel, has strengthened its military presence in the region due to threats from Iran and its allies, such as Hezbollah. The ceasefire discussions in Cairo involve the United States of America, Egypt, and Qatar, negotiating a truce between Israel and Hamas, but Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, is responsible for launching rockets and drones towards Israel.
