GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — In an attempt to ease the tensions flaring up on the borders between Israel and the Gaza Strip since mid-January, Egyptian intelligence resumed its mediation between Hamas and Israel on Feb. 10. The escalation came after Palestinian groups launched incendiary balloons and rockets from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel, and Israel responded with air raids and artillery shelling of Hamas military locations in the Gaza Strip.
When Hamas accused Israel of slackening in implementing truce understandings reached in October 2018, military tensions worsened. In addition, the US administration’s declaration of the so-called "deal of the century" raised the ire of Palestinians.
