Skip to main content

Israeli forces step up Gaza City bombardment as Egypt hosts Hamas

1 min Mena Today

Israeli forces demolished houses in eastern areas of Gaza City overnight, killing at least 11 people in aerial and tank fire, Hamas health authorities said, as the Palestinian Islamist group told mediators it was ready to resume ceasefire talks.

Mourners carry a body during the funeral of Palestinians killed in Israeli fire while seeking aid on Wednesday, according to medics, in Gaza City, August 14, 2025. Reuters/Ebrahim Hajjaj

Mourners carry a body during the funeral of Palestinians killed in Israeli fire while seeking aid on Wednesday, according to medics, in Gaza City, August 14, 2025. Reuters/Ebrahim Hajjaj

Israeli forces demolished houses in eastern areas of Gaza City overnight, killing at least 11 people in aerial and tank fire, Hamas health authorities said, as the Palestinian Islamist group told mediators it was ready to resume ceasefire talks.

Israel's planned seizure of Gaza City - which it took in the early days of the war before withdrawing - is probably weeks away, officials say.

In an effort to avert the planned military escalation, Egypt has been trying to revive a push for a ceasefire in Gaza, hosting a Hamas delegation led by the group's chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya.

He told mediators in Cairo on Wednesday that Hamas was ready to resume ceasefire talks to achieve a temporary truce, and was open to discussing a comprehensive agreement that would end the war, Egyptian and Palestinian sources said.

The latest round of indirect talks in Qatar ended in deadlock in late July with Israel and Hamas trading blame over the lack of progress on a U.S. proposal for a 60-day truce and hostage release deal.

Gaps between the sides appear to remain wide on key issues, including the extent of any Israeli military withdrawal and demands for Hamas to disarm.

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

Related

Hezbollah

Hezbollah agrees to reciprocal ceasefire with Israel

Lebanon's embassy in Washington said in a statement on Monday that Hezbollah had accepted a U.S. proposal for a mutual cessation of hostilities that would be extended to encompass all Lebanese territory.

Israel

France blocks Israeli officials from weapons exhibition

Israel's defence ministry said on Monday France had banned Israeli government officials from a major weapons show in Paris, and had imposed restrictions on companies from the country exhibiting there.

Lebanon

History repeats itself at Lebanon's crusader fortress

The medieval Beaufort Castle's stone ramparts tower so far above south Lebanon that Israel could hail their capture as a strategic victory, even as it evoked the miseries of a previous occupation.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.