Israel pummels Hamas tunnel system as diplomats look for truce

Israel’s army on Thursday said it “neutralized” an extensive tunnel system dug by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, keeping up its military offensive as diplomats continued to search for a ceasefire deal.

The IDF said that its aerial assault and artillery bombardment continued overnight, hitting targets including the house of a Hamas commander in Khan Yunis, a Hamas arms factory and rocket launchers.

The Israeli army said that the tunnels were built over five years and allowed Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, to move ammunition, fighters and food within the coastal strip.

There was pressure on both sides to declare a ceasefire, with diplomats trying to spur a breakthrough after 10 days of fighting that has left more than 220 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel dead. Tens of thousands of Gaza residents have fled their homes.

US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday that he “expected a significant de-escalation” to start.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas began a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories on Thursday to promote the international community’s ceasefire efforts.

Maas is to hold talks with Netanyahu, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Defence Minister Benny Gantz and President Reuven Rivlin. He will meet separately with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk told Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television that he expected “a ceasefire to be reached within a day or two.”
Tel Aviv (dpa), 
20 May, 2021