Gaza’s Hamas rulers said on Sunday that their indirect negotiations to reach a long-term ceasefire agreement with Israel have halted and promised to step up the violent protests along the border.
Hamas had been negotiating with Israel through Egyptian and UN mediators to pacify the tense border in exchange for easing restrictions on Gaza. But the efforts floundered as differences compounded between Hamas and its West Bank rival Fatah, who opposed the deal.
In the wake of the announcement, more than a thousand Gazans gathered at the border for a rare night-time protest, burning tires and clashing with IDF troops. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said one person was killed and 11 injured by IDF fire.