IDF Operates on Outskirts of Gaza City as Hamas Delegation Meets With Egyptian Mediators

Latest Developments

Intensified Gaza City Operations: The IDF announced on August 15 that forces under the command of the 99th Division began operating in the Zeitoun area on the outskirts of Gaza City. The Israeli Air Force operated in coordination with ground forces, attacking “military targets and terrorists in the area,” according to the IDF. Meanwhile, in the northern city of Beit Hanoun, the IDF used over 20,000 cubic meters of sealant material to dismantle and close a seven-kilometer-long tunnel, in an operation spanning four weeks led by the IDF Southern Command’s Engineering Corps.
Hamas Delegation Meets With Egyptian Officials: A Hamas delegation led by senior member and negotiator Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo on August 13 to discuss possible renewed ceasefire negotiations with Egyptian officials. Al-Hayya reportedly told mediators that the group was ready to begin discussions for a partial truce with Israel in Gaza, a measure recently ruled out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After failed negotiations in July, Netanyahu will reportedly only consider a ceasefire deal with the Iran-backed terrorist organization if it agrees to release all Israeli hostages at once.
GHF Deploys Supplement To Battle Acute Malnutrition in Gaza: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has delivered over 123 million meals to Palestinians in Gaza to date, announced on August 15 that it had introduced a new supplementary food item designed to treat acute malnutrition. According to the GHF, the “Ready-to-Use-Supplementary Food (RUSF) bars are packed with nutrients, including protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and food additives for extended shelf life.” Meanwhile, the IDF stated that 127 humanitarian aid packages from seven different countries, including Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Germany, Belgium, France, and Italy, were airdropped into Gaza on August 15.

FDD Expert Response

“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is partly fueled by UN and other international humanitarian groups refusing to collaborate with the GHF. Instead, these organizations continue to support traditional methods of aid distribution, which in recent months have resulted in nearly every commissioned humanitarian truck entering the enclave being stolen and looted. International aid groups should partner with the GHF to assist in expanding successful aid delivery operations.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor

“The arrival of a senior Hamas delegation in Cairo to explore a potential end to the war marks a positive diplomatic development. Yet the group’s steadfast insistence on retaining control over Gaza remains the principal impediment to any agreement that could end the war. In effect, Hamas has demonstrated that it is willing to sacrifice civilians to start a war with Israel but is unwilling to save them to end it.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal