JERUSALEM: Israel says it has restored fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip’s sole power plant and expanded the permitted fishing zone off the enclave’s coast, easing some recent restrictions on the blockaded territory.
An Israeli official confirmed Palestinian reports on Friday that Israel had resumed fuel deliveries that were cut off earlier this week, and extended the fishing zone up to 15 nautical miles from 10 nautical miles.
The official says that in return, the Hamas militant group which rules Gaza “promised to halt the attacks on Israel,” a reference to incendiary balloons launched from the enclave that recently sparked wildfires in southern Israel.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity under regulations.
Hamas says it “won’t allow the occupation to retreat” from cease-fire terms mediated by Egypt and the UN.
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Israel eases some restrictions on Gaza in unofficial truce
Israel eases some restrictions on Gaza in unofficial truce
- Israel had resumed fuel deliveries that were cut off earlier this week
US envoy Witkoff meets Netanyahu in Jerusalem: Israeli official
JERUSALEM: US envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, an Israeli official said, during a visit that followed the reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt.
The official told AFP that the meeting was taking place in Jerusalem, but declined to provide details on the agenda.
It came as the United States was expected to hold talks with Israel’s arch-foe Iran later this week.
An Arab official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the meeting was likely to take place in Turkiye on Friday, following diplomatic interventions by Ankara, as well as Egypt, Oman and Qatar.
Witkoff’s talks with Netanyahu on Tuesday marked his second encounter with the Israeli prime minister in less than a fortnight. His previous visit took place days before the Rafah crossing was reopened.
Israeli media reported at the time that Witkoff and fellow US envoy Jared Kushner had pressed for the reopening of the crossing.
The official told AFP that the meeting was taking place in Jerusalem, but declined to provide details on the agenda.
It came as the United States was expected to hold talks with Israel’s arch-foe Iran later this week.
An Arab official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the meeting was likely to take place in Turkiye on Friday, following diplomatic interventions by Ankara, as well as Egypt, Oman and Qatar.
Witkoff’s talks with Netanyahu on Tuesday marked his second encounter with the Israeli prime minister in less than a fortnight. His previous visit took place days before the Rafah crossing was reopened.
Israeli media reported at the time that Witkoff and fellow US envoy Jared Kushner had pressed for the reopening of the crossing.
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