Middle East: Palestinian Jihad and resistance factions continue to confront the Zionist occupation forces in Gaza, marking the 323rd day of the heroic Al-Aqsa Storm battle, particularly in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.

In the last 24 hours, there has been a significant escalation across most of the combat and confrontation fronts in Gaza. Since Friday, the 252nd Brigade of the occupation army has been carrying out concentrated operations in Gaza City and near the corridor in the central sector, with enemy aircraft conducting more than 98 airstrikes in Rafah, claiming to have targeted "militants near our forces and a weapons depot in the area."

As the situation becomes more complex, the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported, quoting officials, that "Netanyahu is leading Israel to a dangerous crossroads between a hostage deal or escalation, after bringing it to its worst strategic position ever with the possibility of a major war." The report emphasized that "Israel has no specific timeline, except for the possibility of Trump's return to the White House."

Farce of Negotiations and Futility of American Tactics:

In this regard, Hamas issued a statement on Saturday saying, "Our delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, will arrive in Cairo at the invitation of mediators from Egypt and Qatar to discuss the results of the recent negotiations." Hamas confirmed, "We are ready to implement what was agreed upon and call for pressure on the occupation to comply and stop hindering the agreement process."

A White House spokesperson said in a statement that "President Biden discussed with the Emir of Qatar the urgent need to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza," adding that they "discussed the necessity of reaching an agreement that includes providing life-saving relief to civilians in Gaza," and reviewed "Cairo negotiations and efforts to remove any remaining obstacles."

While the US continues what analysts describe as the "farce of negotiations and fooling the public," the Zionist occupation persists in its aggression on all fronts, taking advantage of the time provided by American deception—a series of tricks to assure and suggest imminent ceasefire agreements in Gaza falsely, or to prevent escalation and drag the region into a broader war. Netanyahu and his extremist government are the main beneficiaries of this major American deception.

Writers and political analysts believe that Arab states involved in the endless American negotiation process should withdraw immediately and not give Netanyahu more time to achieve his goals under a cover of continuous American lies. They should also avoid the trap of American assurances, which have allowed the occupation to gain more points and achieve more objectives.

Therefore, the previous insistence by Palestinian factions on not participating in any futile negotiations where conditions change according to "Netanyahu's" whims, with American approval, is more beneficial than continuing in the ongoing American charade, which has lasted more than ten months without yielding any results that serve the Palestinian people by halting the aggression.

Possibility of Regional War Expansion Remains:

In this regard, Israeli media reports highlighted increasing disagreements and divisions between the military and political establishments over reaching a ceasefire agreement and a prisoner exchange in Gaza.

Makor Rishon newspaper pointed out that "the fate of the entire war is at stake, not just the fate of the prisoners"; the security and military establishment "wants a temporary ceasefire," while opponents of the deal at any cost "armed themselves this week with additional confirmations of their stance"; they "remain convinced that stopping the war now would be a disaster" and "become more stubborn as time passes."

In the same regard, journalist Ari Shavit from "Makor Rishon" stated, "We are standing on the edge of the abyss, and at any moment, a low-intensity regional war could turn into a high-intensity regional war for which we are not prepared."

According to observers, Washington continues to promote the idea of closing gaps in the recent Cairo talks, while there are significant differences in understanding. The negotiations face major challenges, including a lack of trust between the parties and escalating massacres on the ground. There are also internal pressures on political leadership within Israel, making it even more difficult to reach an agreement.

The Maariv quoted Reserve General Itzhak Brik as saying, "Netanyahu told me there is no solution to the tunnels. I wonder what can be done in Philadelphia," adding that he "fears the collapse of his government and is acting from a personal, not national, perspective," stressing that "Israel must initiate a ceasefire today and release the hostages."

Confirming indications of regional escalation, the Axios quoted sources saying, "The US Army Chief of Staff is visiting Israel on Sunday morning to coordinate a potential attack by Iran and Hezbollah." Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal quoted the former US Deputy Chief of Staff as saying, "We are engaged in two wars and struggling to provide munitions and equipment to our allies," referring to Ukraine and Israel.

In the same regard, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized, "The Zionist entity's attack on our security and sovereignty will not go unanswered," adding, "Our response will be precise and calculated, taking all matters into account," clarifying that "our retaliation will be taken at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner without hesitation, and we will not fall into the trap that may have been set for us."

According to observers, in the current situation, there is neither an intention nor a conviction on the part of the occupation and the US administration to cease fire in Gaza, nor are there genuine pressures on them to do so. There are no signs or indications of anything similar, which means that the aggression continues, and the likelihood of regional expansion remains. In such cases, whoever strikes first holds the advantage.

Operational Situation of the Resistance on the 323rd Day of the Battle:

Meanwhile, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, detonated a pre-prepared minefield on several occupation vehicles and engineering equipment in the military sites area east of Deir al-Balah. Enemy media announced the death of one of its soldiers during the ambush.

According to local sources, Israeli helicopter landings were observed for evacuation operations. In the same area, an Israeli armored personnel carrier was targeted with a Yassin-105 shell.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades also launched an anti-tank missile at an Israeli "Namer" APC in Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, west of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, achieving a direct hit.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades targeted Israeli troop concentrations and vehicles in the "Netzarim" axis, southwest of Gaza City, with two 107 rockets and heavy-caliber mortar shells.

In a joint operation, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the Al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, targeted Israeli forces in eastern Deir al-Balah with regular 60mm mortar shells.

In another joint operation, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades and the Ansar Brigades targeted an Israeli command and control center and supply lines in "Netzarim" with heavy-caliber mortar shells for the second time in 48 hours.

While the resistance continues to inflict heavy losses on the occupation forces, the Israeli army admitted on Friday to the death of a corporal from the 6310 reconnaissance battalion of the 16th Brigade in central Gaza.

It also announced the injury of seven other soldiers who were with the deceased, four of whom are in serious condition. This coincided with the announcement by Israeli army radio that the number of soldiers killed had risen to 695 since the beginning of the war, along with 4,357 injured, 645 of whom are in critical condition, with 185 still receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, Channel 14 reported the disappearance of two Israelis who entered Qalqilya in the northern West Bank to repair their car, adding that "our forces that entered Qalqilya to search for the Israelis were shot at and did not find them."

In a separate context, observers considered the burning of copies of the Quran by Zionist soldiers during their storming and desecration of the Bani Saleh mosque in northern Gaza, and their documentation and publication of their heinous crime, as a clear indication of a criminal policy managed by the occupation government, confirming the fascist nature of the entity towards the nation's identity and sanctities.

The Gaza Ministry of Health stated that "Israeli occupation forces committed five massacres against families in Gaza in the last 48 hours," noting that "the total number of martyrs from these massacres reached 69, with 212 injured, who were brought to hospitals."

The Gaza Health Ministry also reported that the death toll from the genocide carried out by the occupation in Gaza for nearly 11 months has risen to 40,334 martyrs and 93,356 injured.

Translated by Almasirah English website