Gaza ceasefire in sight as 100 more die in bombardment

Intensive international efforts to end the fighting in Gaza seemed to be coming to fruition last night as both Israel and Hamas indicated a willingness to accept a humanitarian truce, followed by talks in Cairo on a long-term comprehensive ceasefire.

Israeli officials said Jerusalem had agreed in principle to a ceasefire after it was made clear that its army would remain in Gaza and continue to destroy Hamas cross-border tunnels used to carry out attacks inside Israel.

At the Cairo talks, Hamas is expected to press for an end to the economic siege on Gaza and the opening of border crossings with both Israel and Egypt. Israel in turn will demand the demilitarisation of Gaza and a mechanism to ensure that Hamas cannot rearm.

On the ground yesterday, even as ceasefire contacts continued, more than 100 Palestinians were killed in the heaviest land, air and sea bombardment so far, and a day after 10 Israeli soldiers were killed.

Among the targets were Gaza’s only power plant, the homes of militant leaders, the headquarters of Hamas-affiliated al-Aqsa television and radio stations and mosques Israel said were being used to store weapons and conceal entrances to tunnels.

Power plant hit

Director of Gaza’s power plant Rafiq Maliha said it would likely take “months or a year” to repair the facility after shells hit the main fuel tank, the fuel-treatment facility and two turbines, sending huge plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.

The plant powers water and sewage systems as well as hospitals, and has been providing most of Gaza’s electricity after power lines that run from Israel were damaged in the fighting.

The home of former Gaza prime minister Ismail Haniyeh was also hit in an air strike, as was the Gaza finance ministry building.

A Gaza health ministry spokesperson said 13 Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli tank fire in the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza City. Israeli troops also killed five militants as they emerged from a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday.

The death toll in the enclave since Israel began “Operation Protective Edge” on July 7th has exceeded 1,100 and at least 6,500 Palestinians have been injured. The United Nations reported that 215,000 Palestinians had fled their homes and 200,000 had taken shelter in UN compounds.