China News Service, Beijing, February 14th Comprehensive News: According to foreign media reports, on February 13th local time, the talks held by the United States, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages in the Egyptian capital Cairo still lacked substance. However, there is news that Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) are "making progress" in reaching an agreement.
Reuters quoted a statement reported by Egypt's Cairo News TV station as saying that the parties to the talks were "willing to continue consultations and coordination on key issues," indicating that the negotiations have not yet achieved substantive results. The Times of Israel quoted the same statement as saying that Egypt said the negotiations were "positive."
The Times of Israel stated that a delegation led by Barnea, the head of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, and Ronan Barr, the director of the Israeli National Security Service (Sin Bet), held talks with all parties in Cairo and has now left Cairo. Return to the country. Officials said that during the talks, the Israeli delegation was "there to listen" and made no new proposals.
The Times of Israel quoted AFP as saying that Hamas said it was waiting for the results of the Cairo conference and was "willing to discuss any initiative aimed at ending aggression and war."
The Associated Press reported that the focus of the talks in Cairo was to "write a final draft" of a six-week ceasefire agreement and to ensure that the parties will continue to negotiate to achieve a permanent ceasefire. A Western diplomat in Cairo said a six-week ceasefire was being discussed but more work needed to be done to reach an agreement.
Martin Griffiths, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, issued a statement on the 13th, saying that he hopes to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages as soon as possible to avoid an attack on the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, otherwise "it will with devastating consequences."
Griffiths said the military operation in Rafah could lead to heavy casualties and put the already fragile humanitarian aid operation in Gaza at risk. The international community has repeatedly warned of the possible consequences of attacking Rafah, and Israel cannot continue to ignore these warnings.
Reuters said Rafah had a population of about 300,000 before the war broke out and currently has about 1.5 million refugees. After the Israeli military launched a military operation against Rafah, some Palestinian refugees who fled from the northern Gaza Strip had to embark on an escape journey again.
The Associated Press said that while the negotiations were ongoing, casualties in the Gaza Strip were still increasing. Gaza's health department said at least 133 people died in Israeli air strikes in the past day. The current death toll in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 28,000, with more than 68,000 injured. (over)