Southern residents demand government action on Gaza
Hundreds living in communities near Hamas-run enclave say they will move away for high holidays, fearing renewed attacks
Hundreds of residents of southern Israel protested Saturday night in Sderot, demanding a government solution to the mortar and rocket fire emanating from the Gaza Strip
Fearing the renewal of rocket fire surrounding the resumption of indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel, Hamas and other Gaza-based terror groups in Cairo, residents said they intend to move their families away from the Gaza periphery for the Jewish High Holidays which begin Wednesday evening.
Palestinian and Egyptian officials said on Saturday that indirect talks between Israeli and Palestinian delegations on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will resume on Wednesday in Cairo.
On August 20, both sides agreed a ceasefire that ended 50 days of deadly conflict and provided for a resumption of negotiations within a month to discuss unresolved issues.
These include the construction of a port and restoring the territory’s airport, and exchanging Palestinian prisoners for the remains of Israeli soldiers.
Hamas fired 4,600 rockets at Israel, mainly into the south, and killed 11 soldiers when its gunmen emerged from some of the attack tunnels it had dug under the border. More than 2,000 Gazans died in the conflict, half of them gunmen, Israel says. Seventy-two Israelis were killed, 66 of them soldiers.
Israel refuses to lift its blockade of Gaza, maintained together with Egypt and designed to prevent Hamas from importing weapons, unless Hamas disarms. Hamas refuses to do so. For the same reason, Israel and Egypt oppose opening a Gaza airport or seaport.