Hamas leader arrives in Cairo for talks

A Hamas statement said Mr Haniyeh would discuss with Egyptian officials the political situation and developments on the ground, as well as "efforts to stop attacks, deliver relief goods and achieve Palestinian goals".

In his statement on February 17, Mr. Haniyeh adjusted Hamas' demands, including a ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an end to the blockade of the territory and safe haven for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinian civilians. However, some of these demands were dismissed as "illusory" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Despite a series of meetings with Israeli and Hamas negotiators last week, Egyptian, Qatari and US mediators have made no progress in their efforts to end the four-month conflict. A coalition of Arab countries on Thursday urged the UN Security Council to act immediately to end the conflict in Gaza. The Arab group also stressed the need for all sides to work to end the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory. Twenty-six of the 27 European Union (EU) member states also called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire leading to a sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the UN's senior humanitarian coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, warned of dire consequences if Israel expands its planned military operation in Rafah.

A report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on February 19 said that Israel has continued its high-intensity attacks on Gaza by land, air and sea. According to OCHA, fighting between the Israeli army and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza has been fierce and widespread, especially in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah. From February 17 to 19, Palestinian armed groups also launched dozens of rockets into Israeli territory.

According to statistics, since the conflict broke out last October, 1,160 people have been killed on the Israeli side, while over 29,100 people have been killed in Gaza, mostly women and children.