Israel presented to the Egyptian and Qatari mediators “two different proposals to begin negotiations” for a ceasefire, according to what the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported in its evening bulletin, Sunday.
The Broadcasting Authority quoted informed sources as saying, “Even in this round, a temporary ceasefire is being considered. The more hostages Hamas presents alive, the more days the ceasefire will have and the number of Palestinian detainees who will be released.”
The authority also revealed, citing informed sources, that there were disagreements in political and security circles regarding the exchange deal negotiations.
Leaders at the political level insist on not stopping the war in any way within any deal, while leaders at the security level, represented by the army leadership and the heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad, along with Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and Ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, are considering accepting an option of this kind in order to rescue the kidnapped people. Emphasizing the possibility of renewing fire after months if necessary.
The same sources report that talks will be launched in Qatar this week, which will be attended separately by an Israeli delegation and another from Hamas, to discuss the existence of foundations from which to start negotiations again, meaning that the issue is still in its early stages, as the source explained.
Meanwhile, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that “while Netanyahu has repeatedly given the negotiating team a broad mandate to release the hostages, Sinwar continues to demand an end to the war, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip, and leaving Hamas intact.” “So you can commit the atrocities of October 7th repeatedly.”
The office added in a statement, “Netanyahu strongly opposes this,” noting that “the negotiating team’s briefings only lead to hardening Hamas’ position, harming families, and delaying the release of the kidnapped.”
Agence France-Presse quoted an Israeli official as confirming that the government has an “intention” to resume talks with the aim of reaching an agreement to release the hostages in Gaza, after a meeting with mediators in Paris.
Reuters quoted a source familiar with the talks as saying, “It was decided that the negotiations would begin this week based on “new proposals” led by the mediators, Egypt and Qatar, and with active American participation.
The war broke out between Israel and Hamas, following the movement’s “unprecedented” attack on areas and sites adjacent to the Gaza Strip on October 7, which resulted in the killing of 1,200 people, most of them civilians, including women and children, according to the Israeli authorities.
In response to the attack, Israel pledged to “eliminate Hamas,” and has since carried out a bombing campaign followed by ground operations since October 27, resulting in the death of 35,984 people, most of them women and children, according to what the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced on Sunday.
ظهرت في الأصل على www.alhurra.com