Zionist forces approach Gaza as truce's end nears

Zionist forces approach Gaza as truce's end nears
Mon Aug 18, 2014 15:03:36

The Israeli regime forces have deployed military equipment and troops near the Gaza Strip as the five-day ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Palestinian resistance is due to conclude later on Monday.

Recent footage showed that Israeli tanks and bulldozers are gathering near the blockaded territory.

Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to hold further talks to agree on a deal to end Israel’s recent offensive against Gaza.

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and Israel had agreed on the extension of a 72-hour truce for five more days late on Wednesday.

Palestinian negotiators have hinted that no long-term deal will be signed with Israel if the Palestinians’ demands are not met.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that the resistance movement’s “priority is to reach an agreement, but the occupiers must stop stalling.”

Hamas wants the seven-year siege of Gaza to be removed, but Tel Aviv claims it will only take the measure if Hamas is disarmed.

At least 2016 Palestinian people, including 540 children, have lost their lives and as many as 10,193 others have suffered injuries since the Israeli military unleashed attacks on the densely-inhabited Gaza Strip on July 8.

MB/MB

string(1032) "[{"id":"1623334","sort":"3245868","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2014/08/16/alalam_635437729911195612_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Gaza death toll tops 1980; more martyrs expected"} ,{"id":"1623339","sort":"3245867","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2014/08/16/alalam_635437764006015724_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Israel blacklists top rights group over Gaza stance"} ,{"id":"1623639","sort":"3245866","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2014/08/17/alalam_635438729782776361_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"No water as diseases spread in Gaza after Israel strikes"} ,{"id":"1623857","sort":"3245864","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2014/08/18/alalam_635439441259112941_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Gaza death toll tops 2000"} ,{"id":"1623888","sort":"3245865","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2014/08/18/alalam_635439515188717713_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Rights groups urge probing Israeli Gaza atrocities"} ,{"id":"1623961","sort":"3245863","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2014/08/18/alalam_635439626248193499_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Humanitarian situation in danger despite Gaza truce"} ]"