An Egyptian security delegation headed to the Gaza Strip on Thursday on a mission to defuse tensions between the Hamas movement and Israel following days of escalation between the two sides.
The Health Ministry in the coastal enclave said a 15-year-old Palestinian died from Israeli gunfire during overnight border skirmishes.
The Israeli military on Thursday demolished the family home of a Palestinian accused in the deaths of two soldiers and an Israeli newborn.
The Egyptian delegation’s visit was the second in three days. It visited the Rafah crossing on the Palestinian-Egyptian border before later meeting with Hamas leaders.
The movement had informed the delegation that it had no intention to escalate tensions with Israel, demanding that Tel Aviv commit to truce agreements reached months ago. These understandings include allowing funds to flow into Gaza, expanding fishing zones and resolving frequent power cuts.
Once this part of the truce is finalized, then discussions could turn to greater issues, such as working on large projects in Gaza.
Israel has been demanding that all attacks from Gaza cease, including the launching of incendiary balloons towards its territories.
On Monday, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh accused Israel of "opting out of short and long term understandings" aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He said that last year Israel and Hamas reached understandings for Israel to extend Gaza's fishing zone, increase the territory's electricity supply and allow cash into Gaza for Hamas public servants.
But he said a botched Israeli undercover raid in Gaza last fall undermined understandings on broader issues "as if they never existed."
