Hurdles in final phase of ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas
Hamas and Israel blame each other, while mediators still hope to reach a ceasefire deal before Ramadan
Negotiations through mediators between Israel and Hamas have entered their final phase in parallel with the attacks and battles under dramatic uncertainty as to whether it will end in a ceasefire (as it seemed a few days ago) or a stalemate and much more. Will end in a shootout (as it turned out this Sunday). Uncertainty is a symbol of waiting for Ramadan Which could begin within a week with a halt, continuation or intensification of the war in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
A senior American official revealed this on Saturday Israel had “more or less” accepted the agreement. of the ceasefire, making it clear that the ball was in the court of the Islamic militia, or rather in the tunnel where its leader and target figure in Israel, Yahia Sinwar, is hiding. According to Washington, “If Hamas accepts the terms, a six-week ceasefire could begin immediately.”
Sunday morning sources Hamas He replied that if Israel agreed to his demands then an agreement would be reached. Possible “within 24 or 48 hours.” In the afternoon, Benjamin Sarkar Netanyahu stopped the departure of a delegation After talks in Egypt Answer The resolution received from Hamas through Doha was “partial”, apart from the resolution agreed upon at the last Paris summit (Israel-Qatar-Egypt-USA). The list of names of those kidnapped does not include (They still have 134 in their hands) who are still alive and will be released or the proportion of their compensation for Palestinian prisoners.
The pressure from US President Joe Biden is continuously increasing. Perhaps for this reason, the widespread belief is that it is still possible to achieve a ceasefire before Ramadan, bringing an end to the war that began with a Hamas terrorist attack on October 7 and a devastating response military offensive in an increasingly battered loop. Consulted by CNN, a diplomatic source familiar with the conversation Acknowledged “progress, but very slow” And considered any agreement in the next 48 hours unlikely.
A Hamas delegation led by Jalil al-Zaya arrived in Cairo this Sunday, where representatives of Qatar and the United States are also present. Hamas, whose foreign leadership is based in Doha, maintains its two demands for the first phase (the return of displaced residents to northern Gaza and increased humanitarian aid) and demands that Israel agree to a definitive ceasefire in the six-week pause. Be committed to. ,
“It is not possible for Hamas to accept the final agreement on the exchange without a decision End date of the war against Gaza“One of its spokesmen, Muhammad Nazal, warned. The Israeli cabinet refused, warning that it would not stop its offensive “unless it completely controlled the terrorist group’s armed and terrorist attacks in the Gaza Strip to avoid another 7-0 Control does not completely destroy the infrastructure.
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In parallel with the talks, Israel has intensified its action Land and air in the southern region of jan eunice A neighborhood built by Qatar where Hamas’s “terrorist infrastructure” is located is surrounded by tanks. While the Islamist-controlled Health Ministry claims 90 people were killed in Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours, the army reports that its forces “killed dozens of militants and destroyed several Hamas infrastructures” that day.
Even under international criticism More than 100 Palestinians died who were eagerly awaited food delivery Last Thursday in northern Gaza, military spokesman Daniel Hagari announced that they had completed a preliminary investigation, according to which, he declared, “There was no attack by the army against the aid convoy. Most of the Palestinians died as a result of the stampede. died or got injured.”
According to the Israeli version, drivers of Palestinian trucks carrying aid ran over several people after being surrounded and looted in the chaos. The spokesman for the Gaza Health Ministry and the director of the hospital where many of the dead and injured were admitted claim they were shot by soldiers.
Hagari said, “Warning shots were fired to disperse the stampede and as our forces began to retreat, several bandits approached our forces and since they posed an immediate threat to them, the soldiers Retaliated against several individuals.” The humanitarian mission was “promoted and facilitated by Israel to help the people of Gaza.”
The United Nations, for its part, warns that humanitarian aid is grossly inadequate to deal with the growing famine in the Gaza Strip. According to UNICEF, At least 10 children died of malnutrition in recent days At Kamal Adwan Hospital in the north of this enclave, where access to aid is more complex than in the south.
The war between Israel and Hamas, which turns 150 days this Monday, faces a decisive week and will be decided not only in Khan Yunis or Jerusalem but also in Cairo, Doha and Washington.