Israel warns Hezbollah; US, Qatar assess possibility of reaching ceasefire agreement

War information

Israel has increased its forces across the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces said fighting continued throughout the Gaza Strip over the past day.

“ Israel continues a large-scale operation in the Zeitoun district (northern Gaza), during which Israel discovered a tunnel, an arms depot, a weapons factory and rocket launchers belonging to Hamas ,” Israel announced.

In central Gaza, Israel announced a raid on sites used by Hamas. During the raid, Israeli soldiers killed several Hamas fighters and destroyed enemy weapons, along with dozens of buildings used by Hamas.

The Israel-Hamas conflict continued to escalate yesterday. (Photo: AP)

Israel warns Hezbollah . Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi warned that the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah will “pay a very high price” for its continued attacks on northern Israel.

“ Hezbollah decided on the evening of October 7, 2023, that it would enter the war. For that, it paid a very high price ,” said Mr. Halevi.

The Israeli official's statement came amid a recent escalation of cross-border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.

Some related developments

The US and Qatar assess the possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement . Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said Doha hopes to be able to announce the results of the ceasefire negotiations before February 29.

The negotiators are pushing for a ceasefire before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which this year could start on March 10 or 11, depending on each country's calendar, Ansari said.

Qatar, one of the countries that has played a role in mediating the Israel-Hamas conflict, said that a new ceasefire agreement could be reached in the next few days. This message followed an earlier statement by US President Joe Biden that a new ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages in the coastal enclave could be reached early next week.

US President Joe Biden also expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement will begin on March 4 and last until the end of Ramadan. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the parties could reach an agreement by the end of this week.

Egypt to set up third aid camp, field hospital . Egypt will set up a third aid camp in the Gaza Strip and prepare a field hospital for Palestinians displaced by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The relief camp will be located in the northern province of Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Egypt has previously established a second relief camp in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, with 400 tents equipped with toilets, water and electricity and capable of accommodating up to 4,000 people. The Egyptian air force has also airdropped 45 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, to Gaza residents.

Israel, Hamas skeptical about possibility of ceasefire . Israel, Hamas are skeptical about possibility of ceasefire before Ramadan, pouring cold water on President Biden's hopes of ending Gaza conflict.

Basem Naim, the political leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, announced that the force has not received any official proposal for a ceasefire after a meeting in Paris of representatives of several parties involved in the Gaza conflict last weekend.

Mr Naim said that this hope was “premature and not in line with reality”. Meanwhile, Ahmad Abdel-Hadi, the representative of Hamas in Lebanon, said that the parties had not made any progress in seeking a ceasefire agreement.

Prime Minister Netanyahu rebuts Biden's remarks . After President Biden warned Israel that it would lose global support with its current government structure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded immediately.

“ From the beginning of the war, I led a diplomatic campaign with the goal of deflecting pressure for an early end to hostilities and gaining support for Israel. We received significant support in this regard ,” Netanyahu said.

The Israeli leader cited a recent poll published by Harvard CAPS/Harris showing that 82% of Americans support Israel in its war with Hamas.

“ This gives us a source of strength to continue the fight against Hamas until complete victory ,” Netanyahu stressed.

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