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2025-08-01 06:03:53
Gaza ceasefire talks on the verge of collapse, Israel considers expanding military operations in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with visiting US Middle East envoy Witkoff on July 31st. Israeli media subsequently reported that Israel believed ceasefire talks in the Gaza Strip were on the verge of collapse and was considering expanding military operations to achieve the "demilitarization" of the Strip. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu and Witkoff spoke for nearly three hours. A senior Israeli official told Hebrew media outlets, including Israel Today and the "New News," that, given the stance of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and the impending failure of ceasefire talks, Israel and the United States agreed to move away from seeking a short-term ceasefire and partial release of detainees and instead pursue a comprehensive plan to disarm Hamas, demilitarize the Gaza Strip, and release all detainees. The official also stated that Hamas had "cut off contact." (Xinhua News Agency)
