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Can Egypt help ease tensions between Israel, Hamas?

An Egyptian intelligence delegation embarked on new moves between Israel and Hamas in order to reduce tension on both sides of the borders in the Gaza Strip after the situation escalated over the past few days.

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An Egyptian border policeman stands to guard close to Israeli tower guarding the Karem Shalom gate leading to Israel from the Philadelphi corridor, a buffer zone that separates Egypt from Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip. — CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Egypt is taking new steps in the Gaza Strip in a bid to reduce the tension that has recently escalated between Israel and Hamas, after Palestinian groups resumed the launching of incendiary balloons toward southern Israel on Aug. 6 following a two-month hiatus.

Israel responded to the fires ravaging the fields of southern Israel by bombing numerous Hamas military sites in Gaza. It partially closed the Kerem Shalom crossing on Aug. 11 and prevented the entry of construction materials and fuel derivatives into the Gaza Strip. This led Gaza’s sole power plant to shut down on Aug. 18. Also, Palestinian fishermen were completely prevented from accessing the sea off the Gaza Strip on Aug. 16.

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