Gaza Crisis: Cairo Summit Seeks Ceasefire Agreement
Officials from the United States, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar gathered in Cairo today to address the escalating crisis in the Gaza Strip and seek a potential ceasefire agreement, Reuters has reported.
The meeting comes amidst mounting international pressure on Israel to halt its planned assault on the city of Rafah, located in the southern Palestinian enclave.
According to reports, over one million displaced civilians are currently sheltering in Rafah, having fled there from Israeli bombardments in other areas of the Gaza Strip. Israeli authorities assert the need to target militants from the Hamas group hiding in Rafah and secure the release of Israeli hostages detained there.
While Israeli tanks have reportedly shelled the eastern sector of Rafah city overnight, causing panic among residents, Egyptian officials have clarified their stance, stating that they will not permit a refugee exodus across the border.
Health officials in the Gaza Strip have reported a significant increase in casualties, with 133 new Palestinian deaths in the past 24 hours alone, bringing the total to 28,473 dead and 68,146 injured since October 7. The situation in the densely populated enclave remains dire, with many individuals feared trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings and essential supplies dwindling rapidly.
Approximately half of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants are now crowded into Rafah, fleeing from other areas under attack.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
