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Israel says no to Cairo talks

August 2, 2014

The Israeli army has told residents who fled fighting in a northern Gaza town that they could return as its offensive there was winding down. Meanwhile, Israel has said it will not attend truce talks in Cairo.

https://p.dw.com/p/1Cnth
Image: Reuters

On Saturday, Israel's military informed residents of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza that it was "safe" to return to their homes. However the military warned residents to "beware of explosive devices Hamas has spread across the area."

More than two weeks ago, the army had dropped flyers and sent text messages warning Beit Lahiya's 70,000 residents to flee their homes and not return until further notice.

Witnesses reported seeing soldiers being withdrawn from the area, which marks the first time Israeli troops had been seen pulling back since the start of the Gaza conflict on July 8.

Fighting has so far has killed at least 1,665 Palestinians and 63 Israeli soldiers. According to UN figures, up to 25 percent of Gaza's population of 1.8 million have fled their homes, with a quarter of a million of them taking refuge in shelters run by the UN.

The announcement came as Israel said it would not attend truce talks in Cairo. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi was scheduled to meet with a Palestinian delegation later in the day.

On Friday, a 72-hour ceasefire collapsed just hours after going to effect. Israel blamed Hamas for the failed truce, accusing it of abducting 23-year-old Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin within 90 minutes of the ceasefire's start time.

The Israeli military continued its search for the missing soldier on Saturday near Rafah, where heavy fighting has been going on. However, Hamas has denied kidnapping the soldier.

hc/mkg (AFP, Reuters)